Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleDoctors in China successfully transplanted a genetically modified pig liver into a 71-year-old man, marking the first therapeutic use of such an organ in a living human. The patient, who was ineligible for a human transplant due to hepatitis B and cancer, lived for 171 days following the procedure. The pig liver functioned effectively for the first month but was removed on day 38 due to complications, specifically xenotransplantation-associated thrombotic microangiopathy (xTMA). Researchers from Anhui Medical University described the case as a “pivotal step forward”, proving a genetically engineered pig liver can function in a human for an extended period. The study highlights both the promise of xenotransplantation for liver conditions and the remaining hurdles, particularly concerning coagulation dysregulation and immune complications. In fullFirst ever pig-to-human liver transplant keeps patient alive for monthsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
Pig liver transferred to human patient in medical first
Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleDoctors in China successfully transplanted a genetically modified pig liver into a 71-year-old man, marking the first therapeutic use of such an organ in a living human. The patient, who was ineligible for a human transplant due to hepatitis B and cancer, lived for 171 days following the procedure. The pig liver functioned effectively for the first month but was removed on day 38 due to complications, specifically xenotransplantation-associated thrombotic microangiopathy (xTMA). Researchers from Anhui Medical University described the case as a “pivotal step forward”, proving a genetically engineered pig liver can function in a human for an extended period. The study highlights both the promise of xenotransplantation for liver conditions and the remaining hurdles, particularly concerning coagulation dysregulation and immune complications. In fullFirst ever pig-to-human liver transplant keeps patient alive for monthsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
