In a groundbreaking medical milestone, Lisa Pisano, a 54-year-old woman from New Jersey, underwent a revolutionary procedure where she received a new heart pump alongside a kidney and thymus gland from a pig. Facing both heart failure and end-stage kidney disease, Lisa’s condition posed challenges for traditional transplantation due to her complex medical history. Despite her urgent need for a new heart pump and kidney, the conventional route was fraught with risks and lengthy wait times for compatible human organs.
To address Lisa’s critical situation, doctors at NYU Langone Health embarked on an innovative approach. They implanted a left ventricular assist device (LVAD), a mechanical heart pump, followed by a gene-edited pig kidney and a thymus gland in two separate procedures over nine days in April. This dual transplantation not only marked a first in medical history but also presented a potential solution to Lisa’s complex medical needs.
The inclusion of the thymus gland in the transplantation process is particularly significant as it aids in training the immune system, potentially reducing the risk of organ rejection. This pioneering procedure represents the convergence of two cutting-edge advancements in medicine – the use of gene-edited pig organs and the incorporation of a thymus gland to modulate immune response.
Dr. Robert Montgomery, director of the NYU Langone Transplant Institute, described the procedure as a fusion of “two marvels of modern medicine” during a press conference, highlighting the unprecedented nature of the undertaking. Lisa Pisano and her husband, Todd, expressed optimism about the procedure’s success and its potential to benefit others facing similar medical challenges.
The pig organs utilized in the transplant were genetically modified to mitigate immune rejection reactions, a crucial advancement in xenotransplantation. Unlike previous gene-editing efforts, which involved complex modifications, these pig organs were engineered to lack specific sugars, reducing the likelihood of immune rejection.
Now, just 12 days post-transplant, Lisa’s kidney function is reportedly excellent, with no signs of rejection. Her successful outcome offers hope for future patients grappling with organ failure and underscores the transformative potential of innovative medical interventions.
As Lisa continues her recovery journey, she remains hopeful that her experience will pave the way for broader accessibility to this groundbreaking procedure, ensuring that others in need can benefit from the remarkable advancements in modern medicine.
