Gene-edited transplanted pig kidney 'functioned immediately' in 62-year-old dialysis patient

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2025-02-07 19:45

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US surgeons say a gene-edited pig kidney that was transplanted into a 62-year-old man who was dependent on dialysis 'functioned immediately'. The kidney, which had undergone 69 gene edits to reduce the chances of rejection by the man's body, promptly and progressively started cutting his creatine levels (a measure of kidney function), they say. However, despite the gene edits, the man experienced symptoms of rejection eight days after the transplant, but drugs that further suppressed the man's immune system put a stop to this. Despite the kidney continuing to function, the man sadly died 52 days after the transplant, and an autopsy revealed no signs of kidney rejection in his body, the experts say. It also revealed severe heart disease and scarring, which may be the reason why he died.

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Journal/
conference: New England Journal of Medicine

Research:Paper

Organisation/s: Harvard University, USA, Massachusetts General Hospital, USA

Funder: Massachusetts General Hospital and eGenesis.

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