Latest Developments - Xenotransplantation of Genetically Modified Pig Organs

2025-06-20

Due to the persistent global shortage of donor organs, many patients with end-stage organ failure face the challenge of not receiving timely transplants.

Pig organs are considered the most promising xenotransplantation source due to their anatomical similarity to human organs and the ability for large-scale breeding.

Through gene editing, pig organs have overcome many immune rejection barriers and are now at the forefront of clinical applications.

🔍 Progress by Organ Type

Kidney (NYU Langone, eGenesis, United Therapeutics)

Entered human clinical trial phase
Using pig kidneys with 10–69 gene edits
Multiple preclinical studies confirm urine production and metabolic waste excretion
Since 2024, critically ill patients have undergone clinical transplants, with the longest survival over 2 months

Heart (University of Maryland Medical Center, Revivicor)

Landmark breakthroughs
First pig heart transplant in 2022: patient survived for 60 days
Continued optimization of gene editing and immunosuppressive strategies

Islet Cells (Living Cell Technologies (LCT), eGenesis)

For diabetes treatment, in clinical trials
Encapsulated in microcapsules to prevent immune rejection
Potential to reduce insulin dependence in type 1 diabetes

Skin (XenoTherapeutics)

Temporary coverage for burn patients
Multiple human trials completed
Genetically modified pig skin showed no acute rejection in the short term

Liver (Kyoto University, eGenesis)

In development, not yet clinically transplanted
High complexity; current research focuses on metabolic support functions

Heart Valves (e.g., Edwards Lifesciences)

Widely used in clinical settings for years
Pig heart valves are processed and implanted as non-living grafts

Lungs, Small Intestine (Various academic centers)

Still under research
Require further advances to address high immunological and physiological incompatibilities

🧪 Key Technological Breakthroughs

🧬 Gene editing: Removal of immunogenic genes (e.g., α-Gal), elimination of porcine endogenous retroviruses (PERV)
🧫 Insertion of human genes: Such as CD47, hCD46, anti-coagulation and anti-inflammatory genes
💉 Novel immunosuppressants: Use of monoclonal antibodies like anti-CD40 to reduce rejection risks
🧊 Organ preservation techniques: Extended viability to ensure successful transplantation
🧱 Cell encapsulation technologies: Applied in islet cell transplantation to block immune attacks

🌍 Global Leading Institutions and Companies

eGenesis (USA): Gene-edited pig kidneys, hearts, and islet cells
United Therapeutics (USA): UKidney™ / UHeart™ xenotransplant platforms
XenoTherapeutics (USA): Clinical use of pig skin grafts
LCT (New Zealand): Islet cell transplantation for diabetes
Kyoto University Hospital (Japan): iPS-based xenogeneic organ research

🔮 Future Applications and Industry Potential

🏥 Medical Use Cases:

Bridge organs for patients on organ transplant waiting lists
Life-saving intervention for acute organ failure (e.g., heart or kidney failure)
Alternatives to costly long-term dialysis or insulin therapy

✅ Conclusion

Gene-edited pig organ transplantation is transitioning from research to clinical reality. The next five years will be critical for growth.
If regulatory and technical hurdles are overcome, this field may create a standardized, scalable market for living medical products, benefiting millions of patients worldwide.

📩 Want to Learn More?

We are dedicated to sharing the latest in regenerative medicine and xenotransplantation. Whether you're a healthcare professional, investor, or family member of a patient, feel free to contact us for further discussion!

🧬 基因編輯豬器官移植的最新發展

由於全球器官捐贈長期不足，末期器官衰竭病患面臨等不到移植的困境。
豬器官因體型與人類相似、可大量飼養，成為最具潛力的異種器官來源。
透過基因編輯，豬器官已能克服多數免疫排斥障礙，進入臨床應用前沿。

🔍 不同豬器官的移植進展

腎臟 (NYU Langone、eGenesis、United Therapeutics)

已進入人體試驗階段
使用10～69項基因編輯豬腎
多例臨床前實驗證實可產生尿液與排除代謝物
2024年起，部分重症病患接受臨床移植，最長存活逾2個月

心臟 (馬里蘭大學醫學中心、Revivicor)

具指標性突破
2022年首例豬心移植病患存活60日
持續進行基因優化與免疫調控策略

胰島細胞 (Living Cell Technologies (LCT)、eGenesis)

用於糖尿病治療，臨床研究中
微膠囊包覆避免排斥
可望改善1型糖尿病患之胰島素依賴情形

皮膚 (XenoTherapeutics)

可用於燒傷病患臨時覆蓋
已完成多例人體試驗
豬皮膚經基因修飾後短期不引發排斥反應

肝臟 (京都大學、eGenesis)

發展中，暫未臨床移植
難度高，研究聚焦在代謝支援功能

心臟瓣膜 (Edwards Lifesciences 等)

已普遍臨床使用多年
豬瓣膜加工後可植入人體，非活體器官

肺臟、小腸 (多家學術機構)

研究中，尚無臨床應用
需解決更高程度免疫排斥與生理不相容問題

🧪 技術突破關鍵

🧬 基因編輯：去除免疫原性基因（如 α-Gal）、移除豬內源性病毒（PERV）
🧫 插入人類基因：如 CD47、hCD46、抗凝血與抗發炎基因
💉 免疫抑制新藥：採用單株抗體如 anti-CD40，降低排斥風險
🧊 器官保存技術：延長器官有效時間，保障移植成功率
🧱 細胞封裝技術：應用於胰島細胞，防止免疫細胞攻擊

🌍 全球推動單位

eGenesis (美國)： 基因編輯豬腎、心、胰島
United Therapeutics (美國)： UKidney™ / UHeart™ 豬器官平台
XenoTherapeutics (美國)： 豬皮膚敷料臨床應用
LCT (Living Cell Technologies) (紐西蘭)： 胰島細胞移植於糖尿病
京都大學醫院 (日本)： iPS 結合異種器官研究

🔮 未來應用與產業潛力

🏥 醫療應用場景：

器官捐贈等待者的「橋接器官」
用於急重症救命（如心衰竭、腎衰竭）
取代高成本長期透析或胰島素治療

✅ 小結

基因編輯豬器官移植正在從研究邁向臨床，未來五年將是關鍵成長期。
若能突破法規與技術限制，有機會打造出可標準化、可預期供應的「活體醫療產品」市場，造福全球數百萬器官病患。

📩 想了解更多？

我們致力於提供最前沿的再生醫學與異種移植知識，若您是醫療工作者、投資者或病患家屬，歡迎聯絡我們進一步討論！