A genetically modified pig kidney allowed a man to go nine months without needing dialysis, setting a new record. This period represents the longest use of an animal organ that kept a human alive without recourse to renal replacement treatment.
The pig kidney was used as a "bridge" for a human transplant, marking the first time an animal organ was successfully used in this function. The goal was to keep the patient stable until a suitable human kidney was available for transplant.
The organ came from a genetically modified pig, which reduced the risk of rejection by the human immune system. This approach represents a significant advancement in the development of alternatives to traditional human transplants.
