Clinical Xenotransplantation of Gene‐Edited Pig Organs: A Review of Experiments in Living Humans Since 2022

Xenotransplantation (cross‐species transplantation) has emerged as a promising solution to the global shortage of human organs. Progress has been driven by (i) advances in the gene‐editing of pigs and (ii) novel immunosuppressive therapies. We summarize these advances and briefly review the eight pig organ xenotransplants that have been carried out in living patients since 2022. Two initial pig heart transplants that functioned for less than 8 weeks highlighted challenges such as selection of suitable patients, activation of porcine CMV in the graft, and antibody‐mediated rejection. Five pig kidney transplants (one reported in the medical literature and four as yet unreported) have been associated with more encouraging results, with two patients surviving more than 3 months. A single pig liver transplant in China is briefly discussed. Key issues that require further attention include (i) careful selection of suitable patients for the procedures, (ii) refinement of the suppression of the immune response, (iii) exclusion of latent porcine pathogens, and (iv) monitoring of pig organ function. This review underscores the field's ongoing transition from the experimental laboratory to clinical application while emphasizing the remaining barriers that require resolution.