Pig kidney transplant helps US man avoid dialysis for nine months

Tim Andrews, a 66-year-old man, avoided the need for dialysis for nine months after receiving a genetically modified pig kidney at Massachusetts General Hospital in January 2025. The transplant provided Andrews with hope, away from the depressive time he faced before the procedure. The pig kidney worked immediately after transplant, continuing its function for 271 days before its removal.

Following this, Andrews underwent 82 days of dialysis before receiving a human donor kidney in January 2026. The pig utilized for this procedure underwent significant genetic modifications to maximize compatibility with the human body, aiming to lessen immune rejection and mitigate the risk of infections from pig DNA viruses. Dr. Leonardo Riella, from the Mass General Brigham Centre for Transplantation Sciences, emphasized the critical shortage of human organs, highlighting xenotransplantation as a potential alternative for patients without a living donor.

While the initial rejection signs were successfully managed, the pig kidney's blood vessels began to deteriorate six months post-transplant, eventually leading to its failure. This case underscores the dual promise and challenges of xenotransplantation, offering a temporary 'bridge' for patients awaiting human donor organs, while also emphasizing the hurdles that remain in this field.

For Andrews, the hope provided by the pig kidney was especially valuable during his wait for a human kidney.