China uses gene-edited pig liver to save lives of liver failure patients

On February 4, Xijing Hospital of the Air Force University of Military Medicine (China) announced breakthrough results in the treatment of acute liver failure. The medical team set up a cross-circulation system, connecting the patient’s blood vessels with a six-gene edited pig liver, according to Science and Technology Daily.

The special feature of this method is that the pig liver is not transplanted into the patient. Instead, it acts as an external “dialysis factory”, temporarily taking over the functions of detoxification, synthesis and metabolism through a mechanical perfusion device. The pig liver plays the role of “super life support”, giving the patient’s real liver time to rest and recover without needing to be removed.

The treatment lasted continuously for 66 hours. During this process, the pig liver maintains good bile excretion and perfusion. The patient’s vital indicators improved significantly: jaundice (bilirubin) decreased, liver enzymes and blood clotting ability (prothrombin activity) changed positively. Realizing that physiological and biochemical signs gradually returned to normal levels, the medical team decided to stop the support procedure.

This is the result of cooperation between the research team of Academician Dou Kefeng, Tay Kinh Hospital, No. 1 Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University and Zhonghua Ao Cach Biotechnology Company. Medical literature search results confirm that this is the first clinical case in the world applying this technique.

The new technique is based on three core technology pillars. The first is a multi-gene editing strategy to “humanize” the pig liver, helping to increase immune compatibility. The second is “bridging” therapy, which provides temporary liver function to reduce dependence on high-dose immunosuppressants. Finally, closed-loop perfusion technology ensures optimal vitality for organs when operating outside the body.

Dr. Wang Lin, Head of the Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Tay Jing Hospital, assessed that this success opens up a new direction for the treatment of end-stage liver disease. In the context of scarce donor organs, the method of using pig liver for extracorporeal support has become an important time-buying solution, helping to maintain the patient’s life while waiting for a suitable human liver for transplantation.