eGenesis pig kidney recipients get human organs — SkimNews
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- eGenesis developed genetically engineered pig kidneys and confirmed their xenografts did not block future human organ transplants after two recipients successfully received donor organs
- Two patients received human kidney transplants after their gene-edited pig kidneys were removed, spending months on dialysis in the interim but surviving over a year without regular dialysis due to the xenografts
- Primate studies previously suggested that pig organ recipients would not develop antibodies complicating future human transplants, a finding now supported by human outcomes
- The shortage of human organs drives xenograft research, as many patients die waiting for transplants, making temporary pig kidney solutions a potentially life-extending bridge
Why it matters: This outcome directly benefits patients on transplant waitlists by validating gene-edited pig kidneys as a viable bridge therapy. The fact that recipients can later receive human organs removes a major safety concern, accelerating the path to broader clinical use of xenografts without sacrificing future transplant options.
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