New York, NY. A groundbreaking medical experiment has come to a close at NYU Langone Health, where a genetically modified pig kidney successfully functioned inside a brain-dead man for a historic two-month period. This achievement, the longest a pig kidney has ever functioned within a human body, even though it was in a deceased individual, is raising hope for the possibility of xenotransplantation – the use of animal organs in human recipients.
The pioneering experiment involved dozens of medical professionals who lined the hospital hallway in silent tribute as the pig kidney was removed from the body of Maurice “Mo” Miller, who had been declared brain-dead. Following the removal, the donated body was returned to his family for cremation.
Dr. Robert Montgomery, the transplant surgeon leading the research, expressed both excitement and relief over the success of the experiment. He believes that xenotransplantation, using genetically modified pig organs that closely resemble human organs, could alleviate the severe organ shortage crisis in the United States, where over 100,000 people are currently on the waiting list for organ transplants, with the majority in need of kidneys.
Traditional xenotransplantation efforts have faced significant challenges due to the rapid rejection of foreign animal tissue by the human immune system. However, this latest breakthrough stems from the use of genetically modified pigs whose organs closely resemble human organs.
Previous experiments with animal-to-human transplants involved short-lived efforts in deceased bodies that did not provide insights into the more common form of rejection, which takes time to develop. Last year, surgeons at the University of Maryland attempted to save a man with a pig heart, but the organ failed within two months, leaving unanswered questions.
Dr. Montgomery’s team opted for an unconventional approach by keeping Maurice Miller’s body on a ventilator for two months to assess how the pig kidney performed. The researchers aimed to address concerns raised by the FDA regarding the functionality of pig organs compared to human organs.
The experiment proceeded successfully for the first month, with the pig kidney functioning without issues. However, subtle signs of rejection emerged in the form of decreased urine production. Fortunately, a change in standard immune-suppressing medications led to a recovery in the kidney’s performance, demonstrating the feasibility of the procedure.
NYU transplant immunologist Massimo Mangiola emphasized that this experiment has demonstrated that xenotransplantation is “actually doable.” The researchers have addressed various FDA inquiries, including the kidney’s response to human hormones, antibiotic excretion, and medicine-related side effects, all of which appeared comparable to those of human kidneys.
Dr. Jeffrey Stern, after removing the pig kidney on the 61st day for closer examination, described it as “beautiful” and closely resembling a normal kidney.
The next phase of the research involves a comprehensive examination of approximately 180 different tissue samples, taken from major organs, lymph nodes, and the digestive tract, to detect any potential issues related to xenotransplantation.
Karen Maschke, a research scholar at the Hastings Center, cautioned that experiments in deceased bodies cannot predict the functioning of organs in living recipients. However, they provide valuable information, particularly in distinguishing between genetic modifications with varying degrees of complexity in pigs used for xenotransplantation.
The groundbreaking experiment offers a ray of hope for patients awaiting organ transplants, with researchers emphasizing the urgent need to address the shortage of organs and provide individuals with a second chance at life.
This news report is based on information from The Associated Press.
Gary P Hernal started college at UP Diliman and received his BA in Economics from San Sebastian College, Manila, and Masters in Information Systems Management from Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University in Oak Brook, IL. He has 25 years of copy editing and management experience at Thomson West, a subsidiary of Thomson Reuters.
