May 18, 2022

expert reaction to results of two cases of pig-to-brain dead human kidney xenotransplantation using genetically modified pigs

A paper published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) looks at the results of 2 cases of pig-to-human kidney xenotransplantation in brain-dead human recipients.

A spokesperson for NHS Blood and Transplant said:

“We are always interested in new research that may allow more patients to benefit from transplantation in the future. Whilst in recent months there has been several new developments in the field of xenotransplantation, it still widely recognised that there is some way to go before this is an everyday reality. While research continues, we still need everyone to make their organ donation decision and let their family know what they want to happen if organ donation becomes a possibility.”

‘Results of Two Cases of Pig-to-Human Kidney Xenotransplantation’ by Robert A. Montgomery et al. was published in NEJM at 22:00 UK time on Wednesday 18^th May.

DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2120238

Declared interests

None received.