In a previous blog, I reported on the first Xenotransplantation of a pig’s kidney into a human. A second has been reported by AP reporter Lauren Neergaard in the Health & Science section of the site nbcdfw.com. A condensed version of her article follows; at the bottom is the link to the original article.
Doctors at NYU Langone Health have successfully transplanted a genetically modified pig kidney into a New Jersey woman who was suffering from heart and kidney failure. Lisa Pisano’s condition made her ineligible for a traditional transplant, but doctors came up with a novel solution. They implanted a mechanical pump to keep her heart beating and, days later, transplanted the pig kidney. Pisano is the second patient to receive a pig kidney following a similar procedure at Massachusetts General Hospital. She is recovering well and has taken her first steps since the surgery. The experiment’s early results have been described as transformative, but further monitoring is required. The shortage of donated organs has led to the development of genetic modifications in pigs to make their organs more suitable for human transplantation. Several biotech companies are working on this, and there have been promising results in temporary transplants of pig kidneys and hearts into brain-dead bodies. However, previous attempts at pig heart transplants resulted in the patients’ deaths. The outcome of Pisano’s case, along with that of the Massachusetts General transplant recipient, will play a role in determining the future of xenotransplantation trials.
(Link) to the original article. The lead photo is from this link.
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