Introduction:
The success of the first pig kidney transplant into a living human on March 16, 2024, marks a groundbreaking milestone in transplantation, paving the way to eliminate the organ shortage. This historic achievement and the subsequent Chinese pig liver to living human transplant on May 17th, 2024, underscores global advancements spurring further clinical trials and innovations. Initially, xenotransplantation and artificial intelligence (AI) were the primary forces; however, regenerative medicine and AI will play a critical role in the long term. The acceleration of AI-driven innovation will lead to new classifications for xenotransplantation pathology, tissue engineering pathology, and bioartificial organ pathology.
Methods:
1. Genetic Editing and Compatibility Enhancements
We can optimize donor-recipient compatibility by genetically editing pig kidneys to increase the match rate with human recipients and reduce the risk of organ rejection. Using AI to analyze extensive datasets and predict effective genetic alterations would optimize these approaches.
2. Risk Assessment and Patient Selection:
We can determine transplant suitability through a comprehensive assessment of patient data, including medical history and genetic profiles. We can also maximize positive outcomes using AI-driven estimations of success rates and potential complications for individual patients.
3. Immunosuppression Optimization:
Drug dosages can be optimized and automated based on patient-specific factors and allow for continuous monitoring while also enhancing the discovery of new anti-rejection agents.
4. Virus Detection and Prevention:
Analyzing zoonotic viral genomes to predict potential risks would allow for implementing early detection systems for viral infections.
5. Organ Allocation and Prioritization:
AI models can optimize organ allocation, considering waiting time, medical urgency, and compatibility factors to ensure a fair distribution of organs.
Results:
A comprehensive review of 153 PubMed articles from 2023 and 2024 identified 31 key studies demonstrating AI’s positive impact on transplantation. Notable findings include:
- AI’s ability to predict success in lung transplantation using frailty measures, showcasing its potential to manage complexity and predict outcomes.
- The role of AI, including OpenAI’s ChatGPT, in enhancing scientific writing in nephrology and highlighting xenotransplantation’s potential.
- The successful performance of GPT-4 in nephrology board renewals, indicating AI’s growing role in medical education.
- Despite current limitations, the critical function of AI tools in personalized medicine.
- The advancement of healthcare accessibility through AI-driven language interpretation, promoting equity.
Conclusions:
Integrating AI with xenotransplantation, regenerative medicine, and bioartificial organs is essential to eliminating the organ shortage. AI enhances critical areas such as genetic editing, patient selection, immunosuppression optimization, virus detection, organ allocation, and predictive modelling. This integrated approach ensures that transplantation science evolves dynamically and inclusively, laying the foundation for AI to address other major challenges for humanity.
I have no potential conflict of interest to disclose.
I did not use generative AI and AI-assisted technologies in the writing process.