Imagine needing a new kidney but facing years on dialysis 😓. US-based United Therapeutics just took a bold step by completing its first gene-edited pig kidney transplant in a human at NYU Langone Health.
This trial, the first large-scale study approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), will enroll six patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Patients aged 55–70 who've been on dialysis for over six months will get the 10-gene-edited pig kidneys, designed to dodge rejection and sync with the human immune system. After 12 weeks, an independent committee will check safety and results before green-lighting the next phase, potentially expanding to around 50 participants.
For 24 weeks, doctors will track kidney function, survival rates, quality of life, and any infection risks. This milestone builds on earlier compassionate use transplants, like the Mass General Brigham case where a pig kidney lasted nine months, or the transplant in Xijing Hospital in the Chinese mainland last March.
Dr. Robert Montgomery, leading the NYU transplant team, calls this a game-changer for transplant medicine and a fresh angle on solving the global organ shortage through xenotransplantation (fancy word for cross-species transplants) 🌏❤️.
With millions worldwide waiting for kidneys, this tech-driven approach could be a lifesaver if it proves safe and effective. Stay tuned as science pushes the boundaries of what's possible in healthcare! 🚀
Reference(s):
Clinical trial of pig kidney transplants gets underway in U.S.
cgtn.com
