Scientists have achieved a significant breakthrough in the field of organ transplantation, as a gene-edited pig kidney successfully kept a monkey alive for a remarkable two years, according to a groundbreaking trial. The study, published in Nature, offers renewed hope for addressing the severe shortage of human organ donors, as approximately 13 people die daily while waiting for kidney transplants. With more than 90,000 Americans and millions globally in need of kidney transplants, the use of genetically modified pig kidneys presents a potential solution.
The trial, the largest of its kind, involved transplanting kidneys from genetically engineered pigs into monkeys. To ensure the organs were not rejected, the pigs were genetically modified, with critical gene edits that included eliminating genes responsible for glycol antigens and introducing seven human genes to regulate kidney rejection pathways. These edits, combined with immunosuppressive drugs, enabled long-term survival in the recipients.
The researchers behind this groundbreaking study are now planning to work with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to pave the way for human clinical trials. Dr. Robert Montgomery, an expert in the field, has expressed support for moving toward human trials, while cautioning about potential safety risks and the challenge of assessing unintended off-target effects of gene edits. Nonetheless, these findings mark an exciting development in the pursuit of viable alternatives to alleviate the organ shortage crisis, offering new hope to those awaiting life-saving transplants. Other recent pig-to-human transplantations have also shown promising results, raising prospects for a brighter future in organ transplantation.