{
  "id": 5513848,
  "title": "Pig kidney transplant helps US man avoid dialysis for nine months",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/pig-kidney-transplant-helps-us-man-avoid-dialysis-for-nine-months",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-09-04T07:38:29.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch",
    "slug": "punch",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/pig-kidney-transplant-helps-us-man-avoid-dialysis-for-nine-months/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In a groundbreaking medical achievement, a genetically modified pig kidney successfully functioned inside a 66-year-old US man, Tim Andrews, for an unprecedented 271 days. The transplant, carried out at Massachusetts General Hospital in January 2025, came after Andrews developed end-stage kidney disease linked to type 2 diabetes. Prior to the transplant, Andrews was on dialysis, a situation he described as \"very depressing\" and a \"shortage of time.\" The pig kidney began working immediately after transplantation and continued to function for the full 271 days before doctors removed it in October 2025. Following the removal, Andrews underwent 82 days of dialysis before receiving a human donor kidney in January 2026, which has been functioning well.\n\nThe pig kidney used in the procedure was subject to extensive genetic modifications to enhance compatibility with the human body, aiming to lower the risk of immune rejection and infections from pig DNA viruses. The transplant was performed by Dr. Leonardo Riella from the Mass General Brigham Centre for Transplantation Sciences, who highlighted the critical shortage of human organs as a significant problem. He expressed optimism about xenotransplantation as an alternative for patients without living donors.\n\nInitial signs of organ rejection were observed, but these were effectively managed by adjusting Andrews' medication, with no antibodies detected attacking the kidney after six months. However, the pig kidney's blood vessels eventually experienced damage, leading to inflammation and eventual failure. The exact cause of the failure remains unclear, as there were no signs of antibodies attacking the organ. This case underscores the dual nature of xenotransplantation—its potential as a temporary \"bridge\" solution for patients awaiting human donor organs, while also highlighting the ongoing challenges in this field. The doctors concluded that the case demonstrates both the promise and the remaining hurdles in clinical kidney xenotransplantation. For Andrews, the experience provided a crucial source of hope while waiting for a human kidney.",
  "summary": "A genetically modified pig kidney functioned in a US man for 271 days, setting a new record and offering hope for xenotransplantation patients. Read More: https://punchng.com/pig-kidney-transplant-helps-us-man-avoid-dialysis-for-nine-months/",
  "key_points": [
    "Tim Andrews, 66, avoided dialysis for 271 days with pig kidney transplant.",
    "Pig kidney genetically modified to reduce immune rejection risk.",
    "Andrews received human donor kidney after pig kidney failure in October 2025."
  ],
  "editors_take": "This medical breakthrough shows that genetically modified pig kidneys can serve as a temporary solution for patients awaiting human donor organs, offering them a better quality of life.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Punch Nigeria",
        "title": "Pig kidney transplant helps US man avoid dialysis for nine months",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/pig-kidney-transplant-helps-us-man-avoid-dialysis-for-nine-months-5516958",
        "published": "2026-09-04T07:58:29.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}