Gene-Edited Pig Kidney Functions 271 Days in US Patient, Setting Record
SingTao · 2 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago2 MIN
Summary
A 66-year-old American man, Tim Andrews, made medical history after receiving a gene-edited pig kidney at Massachusetts General Hospital in January 2025. The pig kidney functioned for 271 days—the longest recorded for a xenotransplant—before failing in October. After 82 days on dialysis, Andrews successfully received a human donor kidney in January 2026. The groundbreaking procedure, detailed in The Lancet, demonstrated that pig organs could serve as a bridge for patients facing organ shortages.
Key Points
- Tim Andrews, 66, suffered from type 2 diabetes-induced end-stage kidney disease, with over 100,000 Americans currently on the waiting list for transplants
- The procedure used Yucatan miniature pigs with 69 genetic modifications, removing pig cell features and adding human DNA to evade immune detection
- The transplant took place on January 25, 2025, at Massachusetts General Hospital, with the kidney immediately functional upon implantation
- Early immune rejection was controlled through medication adjustments, but vascular damage at six months led to eventual organ failure
- Dr. Leonardo Riella stated the team believes xenotransplantation can help patients bypass dialysis entirely while waiting for human donors
Why It Matters
This record-breaking xenotransplant proves pig organs can sustain human life for extended periods, potentially offering a lifeline to patients who might not survive typical waiting times for human kidneys. With organ shortages reaching crisis levels globally, this research brings the medical community closer to making xenotransplantation a viable clinical solution for thousands of patients in desperate need .
This record-breaking xenotransplant proves pig organs can sustain human life for extended periods, potentially offering a lifeline to patients who might not survive typical waiting times for human kidneys. With organ shortages reaching crisis levels globally, this research brings the medical community closer to making xenotransplantation a viable clinical solution for thousands of patients in desperate need .