"Now in a pivotal step forward, Chinese scientists have implanted a genetically modified pig's liver into a 71-year-old man while he was alive. The patient who had liver cancer and late-stage liver disease wasn't eligible for a liver transplant or partial removal of the organ to treat the illnesses. In the first month after the surgery, it showed promising results, not being rejected and functioning effectively. But on day 38, it had to be removed after a serious complication, that involved an immune system reaction which damaged the lining of blood vessels."
"Dr Beicheng Sun, one of the study's authors from the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, in China, said: 'This case proves that a genetically engineered pig liver can function in a human for an extended period. 'It is a pivotal step forward, demonstrating both the promise and the remaining hurdles, particularly regarding coagulation dysregulation and immune complications, that must be overcome.'"
Surgeons implanted a genetically modified pig liver into a 71-year-old man with liver cancer and late-stage liver disease who was not eligible for conventional transplant or resection. The graft initially functioned well and showed no rejection during the first month. On day 38 the liver was removed after a severe immune reaction damaged the lining of blood vessels. Medical treatment and a blood-filtering procedure offered temporary control, but the patient later suffered gastrointestinal haemorrhage and died on day 171. The graft originated from a Diannan miniature pig and carried ten genetic modifications to reduce rejection. Xenotransplantation shows promise but faces coagulation and immune hurdles.
Read at Mail Online
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