World’s first pig-to-human liver transplant offers new hope to thousands on organ waiting

A pig’s liver has been transplanted to a human recipient while they are alive for the first time in a ‘landmark’ for organ transfers between animals and humans. 

Earlier this year scientists transplanted one that had been genetically modified to reduce risk of rejection into a deceased patient. 

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 cancer. 

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.

Initially they were able to treat it with medication and a procedure to remove harmful factors from the blood.

However, the patient sadly went on to suffer episodes of gastrointestinal haemorrhage—bleeding in the digestive tract—and died on day 171.

More to follow.