Researchers in China have completed the world’s first treatment of liver failure using ex vivo perfusion with a gene-edited pig liver, marking a new step in clinical care for critically ill patients.
The procedure allowed a modified pig liver to temporarily support a human patient’s blood circulation outside the body, offering liver detoxification and metabolic functions without removing the patient’s own liver.
The treatment was carried out by a medical team led by Dou Kefeng of Xijing Hospital, working with several academic hospitals and a biotechnology company. The patient suffered from acute-on-chronic liver failure.
Researchers connected a six-gene-edited pig liver to a normothermic perfusion device and linked it to the patient’s bloodstream, creating a cross-circulation system.
During 66 hours of continuous support, the pig liver performed key functions, including bile production and toxin removal. Clinical indicators such as bilirubin levels, liver enzymes, and clotting activity showed steady improvement.
The medical team later stopped the system after confirming that the therapy was effective. The patient remained in stable condition, with laboratory results close to normal levels.
Gene-edited pig liver used for temporary organ support
The procedure differs from a traditional transplant. It uses an external life-support method, leaving the patient’s native liver in place. Researchers described the model as a way to provide temporary organ support during critical illness, especially for patients waiting for a human liver transplant.
Chinese researchers have achieved the world’s first successful treatment of a liver failure patient using ex vivo perfusion with a six-gene-edited pig liver, preliminarily confirming the safety and efficacy of the technique and providing a new strategy for the clinical treatment… pic.twitter.com/YVNUhIEht1
— Global Times (@globaltimesnews) February 25, 2026
The treatment builds on earlier clinical research involving pig organs. In a separate study, researchers transplanted a six-gene-edited pig liver into a brain-dead recipient using an auxiliary technique.
The transplanted liver functioned for 10 days. It produced bile within hours and generated porcine albumin. Blood flow through the organ remained stable, and liver enzyme levels showed no signs of graft failure.
The donor pig had been genetically modified to reduce immune rejection and clotting risks. Tests showed no evidence of major viral transmission or hyperacute rejection. Although platelet levels and some clotting measures changed early after surgery, they later returned to normal. Tissue analysis showed that the pig liver regenerated without signs of rejection.
Shortage of donor organs drives new liver support strategies
Wang Lin, head of hepatobiliary surgery at Xijing Hospital, said that about 200,000 patients in China are hospitalized each year with severe liver failure, many facing high short-term death rates because donor livers are scarce. He explained that this technology could expand treatment options and serve as a bridge for patients awaiting transplantation.
Researchers noted that the current method is designed for temporary support. While the pig liver demonstrated basic liver functions, it is not intended for long-term replacement.
Even so, the results suggest that liver support using a gene-edited pig may become a practical option during critical periods of liver failure.
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