World Breakthrough: 71-Year-Old Man Survives Six Months After First-Ever Pig Liver Transplant

In a groundbreaking medical milestone, researchers have successfully transplanted a genetically modified pig liver into a human — the first time such a procedure has ever been performed for therapeutic purposes.

According to a report by the News Agency of Nigeria on Thursday, the patient, a 71-year-old man, survived for nearly six months following the historic operation. His own liver had suffered irreversible damage due to hepatitis B infection and liver cancer, making him ineligible for a traditional human liver transplant.

This marks the first successful functional pig-to-human liver transplant, following two earlier experimental attempts on brain-dead patients.

Writing in the Journal of Hepatology, scientists confirmed that genetically modified pig livers can support vital metabolic and synthetic functions in humans. The team from China’s First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University implanted an auxiliary graft from a gene-edited Diannan miniature pig, engineered to improve organ compatibility.

For the first month, the transplanted liver performed effectively. However, after 38 days, it had to be removed due to complications linked to xenotransplantation-associated thrombotic microangiopathy (xTMA) — a condition associated with animal-to-human transplants. Although the xTMA was later resolved, the patient passed away 171 days after surgery.

Lead researcher Dr. Beicheng Sun described the achievement as a critical step forward:

> “This case proves that a genetically engineered pig liver can function in a human for an extended period. It’s a pivotal step, though challenges such as immune and coagulation complications remain.”



In an accompanying editorial, Dr. Heiner Wedemeyer, co-editor of the Journal of Hepatology, called the report a landmark in the field:

> “This is a milestone in hepatology. It shows that a genetically modified pig liver can deliver key functions in a human recipient, but it also underscores the ethical and biological challenges that must still be addressed.”



Xenotransplantation — the process of transplanting animal organs into humans — has been explored for decades. Pigs remain the preferred donor species due to their organ size, biological similarity to humans, and the availability of advanced gene-editing technologies.

Despite persistent challenges with immune rejection, advances in gene editing and immune suppression have led to promising progress. Previous landmark cases include David Bennett, who became the first person to receive a genetically modified pig heart in 2022, and Richard Slayman, who received a pig kidney transplant in 2024 — both of whom survived several weeks post-surgery.

The latest breakthrough represents a significant leap in transplant medicine, potentially paving the way for future life-saving alternatives amid global organ shortages.