Chinese Surgeons Achieve World’s First Gene-Edited Pig Liver Transplant in Living Human

In a major medical breakthrough, a team of Chinese surgeons has performed the world’s first successful transplant of a gene-edited pig liver into a living human, with the patient surviving 171 days post-surgery — a landmark that could reshape the future of organ transplantation.

According to Xinhua, this outstanding achievement, which is published this month in the Journal of Hepatology, represents a crucial step forward in tackling the severe global shortage of human donor organs.

The pioneering procedure was carried out by doctors at the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, using a genetically modified pig liver developed by scientists from Yunnan Agricultural University.

According to the study, the donor pig underwent rigorous pathogen screening and a sophisticated 10-gene editing process. Three pig genes that trigger rapid immune rejection were removed, while seven human genes were added to enhance immune compatibility and reduce blood-clotting risks.

The operation took place on May 17, 2024, on a 71-year-old patient suffering from an unresectable liver tumor. The transplanted organ functioned as an auxiliary liver—supporting the patient’s natural liver rather than replacing it entirely.

The procedure followed a similar milestone in April 2024, when another Chinese team at Xijing Hospital in Xi’an transplanted a gene-edited pig liver into a brain-dead patient.

For over a month after surgery, the patient in the latest case showed no signs of rejection, and the transplanted liver functioned effectively. However, by day 38, complications arose as blood clots formed in the transplanted organ’s small vessels, prompting doctors to remove the auxiliary liver. The patient later developed gastrointestinal bleeding and passed away on day 171.

Despite the outcome, researchers say the experiment demonstrates the feasibility of using genetically modified pig livers to support human life for extended periods.

Experts describe the breakthrough as a promising “bridge therapy” that could sustain patients awaiting human liver transplants.

“While this doesn’t yet signal the start of routine clinical use of pig livers, it provides proof of concept that such grafts can function in humans,” the Journal of Hepatology review noted.