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15h ago

Pig Kidney Kept Patient Off Dialysis for 271 Days and Enabled Human Transplant

The Lancet report says the gene-edited pig organ acted as a temporary bridge, revealed late microvascular injury tied to reduced immunosuppression, disclosed industry links, calling for larger trials and ongoing pathogen surveillance.

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Man Spends 9 Months With Pig Kidney, Later Receives Human Organ In World-First Medical Milestone
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Overview

  • The patient, Tim Andrews, received a genetically edited pig kidney on Jan. 25, 2025, and the graft supported kidney function without dialysis for 271 days before failing.
  • According to the Lancet paper published Thursday, the graft worked immediately, an early T-cell rejection episode was treated, and no pig pathogens were detected during intensive monitoring.
  • Around six months after transplant clinicians reduced immunosuppression to treat an infection, which the authors link to microvascular inflammation, endothelial injury and thrombotic microangiopathy that led to graft failure.
  • Eighty-two days after the pig graft was removed Andrews received a deceased-donor human kidney in January 2026 that began working right away and showed no evidence of sensitization in follow-up.
  • Authors and Mass General Brigham say the case proves xenotransplantation can bridge patients to human organs but stresses the need for controlled trials, clearer immunosuppression protocols, long-term safety data and independent oversight given disclosed ties to eGenesis.