First Pig Lung Transplanted into Human in China

Researchers in China have performed the first successful transplant of a pig lung into a brain-dead patient. The procedure took place at the Medical University of Guangzhou in May 2024.

The pig lung, genetically modified to reduce the risk of rejection, functioned for nine days. The company Chengdu ClonOrgan Biotechnology deactivated three pig genes and added three human genes.

The transplant was performed on a 39-year-old brain-dead man due to intracranial hemorrhage. Despite the initial success, the lung developed edema and damage due to the immune response, leading to its removal on the ninth day.

The study, published in the journal Nature, highlights the need for further genetic modifications and optimization of immunosuppression for successful lung xenotransplantation.