Xenotransplantation in China: Past, Present, and Future

Abstract

Organ failure poses a substantial global health challenge, and xenotransplantation emerges as one of the most promising avenues to mitigate the critical shortage of donor organs. In recent years, numerous research institutions have undertaken clinical and preclinical xenotransplantation in humans, instilling hope for notable progress. Nevertheless, formidable obstacles persist before success can be fully achieved. Chinese researchers have been at the forefront of xenotransplantation studies, actively contributing to several pivotal areas: the identification of critical genes essential for xenotransplantation and the creation of genetically modified pigs; preclinical studies on pig-to-nonhuman primate organ and tissue xenotransplantation, as well as the utilization of genetically engineered pig-derived biomaterials; contributions to both preclinical and clinical xenotransplantation research; and the formulation and refinement of xenotransplantation policies and ethical guidelines in China. In conclusion, this review seeks to not only acknowledge the contributions of Chinese researchers but also to encourage further collaboration between Chinese scholars and their international counterparts in advancing the field of xenotransplantation.

Keywords: gene‐edited pig; pig to nonhuman primate; policy and ethics; subclinical and clinical research; xenotransplantation.