The endeavor started with a windpipe from a 51-year old donor. But technically the donor only provided the hardware: the tissues and cells inside the windpipe came from Castillo's body. The process is groundbreaking since instead of using embryonic stem cells, the stem cells were taken from the patient's own hip bone, mass produced in the millions by a renowned stem cell research team in the U.K. and then treated in Spain by a medical team there. After various chemical injections, the cells transformed to become the same type of cells which form the inside the lining of the windpipe. The donated portion of the windpipe was grown inside a special container until it became a functioning airway fit for a transplant.

Claudia's long battle with tuberculosis caused could lose her left lung led to the breakthrough. After six months, she is doing well with her implant organ and leading a normal life.

Doctors say there were no post operation hiccups and Castillo does not need to take anti-rejection drugs. Her operation is one of only a few success stories among implant cases using modified tissues from adult human stem cells.

Arirang News