Researchers in the United States are set to begin an innovative clinical trial to determine if genetically modified pig livers can treat people with acute liver failure. This approach aims to temporarily filter the patient’s blood, allowing their own liver to rest and potentially recover. The Food and Drug Administration has approved this first-of-its-kind clinical trial, as announced by the pig producer eGenesis along with its partner OrganOx.
It is estimated that around 35,000 people in the United States are hospitalized each year due to sudden liver failure, a condition with limited treatment options and mortality rates as high as 50%. Many of these individuals are not eligible for a liver transplant or cannot find a compatible donor in time.
The study, which is expected to begin in the spring, represents a variation in exploring organ transplants from animals to humans. The pig liver will not be transplanted; instead, it will be connected externally to the study participants. The liver is the only organ capable of regenerating, which is why the research focuses on whether using a pig liver to filter the patient’s blood for several days could promote such regeneration.
In previous experiments with four deceased bodies, this bridge attempt demonstrated that the pig liver could perform some of the functions of a human liver for two to three days. This study will include up to 20 patients in intensive care units who are ineligible for a liver transplant. A device, created by the British company OrganOx and currently used to preserve donated human livers, will pump blood from the participants through the pig liver.
This trial is a recent step in efforts to use genetically modified pig organs to save human lives. Pigs’ kidneys from eGenesis and another producer, United Therapeutics, are already being used in experimental transplants.
The Potential Impact
The introduction of genetically modified pig livers into medical treatments could have a significant impact on the care of patients with acute liver failure. This innovative approach may offer a temporary solution for those who do not qualify for a human transplant by allowing their own liver to recover, potentially reducing mortality rates and prolonged hospitalizations.
Furthermore, the success of this study could pave the way for new research and developments in the use of animal organs to treat human diseases. The possibility of using pig livers to filter patients’ blood could alleviate pressure on transplant waiting lists and provide a viable alternative for those in critical situations. This could also influence the biotechnology industry, fostering further innovations in genetic modification for medical applications.
