A 54-year-old woman from New Jersey, Lisa Pisano, who received a gene-edited pig kidney transplant, is back on dialysis after surgeons at NYU Langone Health removed the failing organ 47 days post-surgery. Pisano, who also received a mechanical heart pump in April, had significant challenges with managing her cardiovascular health and kidney function simultaneously, leading to the decision to remove the kidney.
The transplant, performed by Dr. Robert Montgomery, marks the first time a gene-edited pig kidney and thymus gland were transplanted into a living recipient, particularly alongside a mechanical heart pump. Despite initial signs of recovery, Pisano experienced episodes of low blood pressure, adversely affecting the kidney's function due to insufficient blood flow.
A biopsy showed no rejection, but there was noticeable injury from poor perfusion. Pisano's mechanical heart pump continues to function, and she remains stable post-surgery. The procedure aimed to tackle the significant shortage of human organs, with gene-editing efforts striving to make pig organs viable for human transplants by preventing immune rejection.
Pisano's case underscores ongoing research and trials in xenotransplantation, with hopes of finding sustainable solutions for the thousands on organ transplant waitlists.