A 66-year-old man in the US has lived for nine months without dialysis after receiving a pig kidney transplant. Doctors say the case represents a significant step forward for xenotransplantation.
In January 2025, Tim Andrews received a genetically modified pig kidney at Massachusetts General Hospital after developing end-stage kidney disease linked to type 2 diabetes.
The pig kidney functioned for 271 days inside a US man, setting a new record for the longest period an animal kidney has worked inside a human body.
The pig kidney transplant was not a permanent solution for Andrews. Instead, it gave him more time while he stayed on the waiting list for a human donor kidney.
Before the pig transplant, Andrews had severe kidney failure . He needed dialysis to help his body work because his kidneys could not do it on their own. Dialysis helps remove waste and excess fluid from the blood when the kidneys fail. However, the treatment can be physically demanding and requires patients to follow a regular schedule.
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Andrew said thar the pig kidney gave him hope , It helped him stay off dialysis for 271 days before doctors removed it in October 2025 because it had stopped working properly.
This case was not about permanent replacing a human kidney with a pig kidney. Researchers believe animal-to- human transplants could provide a temporary solution for patients waiting for a human donor
Following the removal of the pig kidney ,Andrew spent 82 days on dialysis.In January 2026, he recieved a human kidney , which doctors says is functioning well.
The pig donor “recieved,” genetic edits to make its organ more compatible with humans..The modifications were aimed at reducing immune rejection and the risk of infection from pig DNA.
According to Dr Leonardo Riella of the Mass General Brigham Centre for Transplantation Sciences, shortage of human organs is a major problem . Researcher believe pig-to-human transplants could be an option for patients without a living donor
Andrews’ case showed that a genetically modified pig kidney can function inside a person for many months. However, when the kidney eventually failed, it also showed that there are still significant scientific and medical challenges to overcome.
Researchers said the case shows both the potential of pig-to-human kidney transplants and the challenges that still need to be addressed., Researchers can study the case to understand what worked, what still needs further research, and what problems must be solved before long-lasting pig kidney transplants can become possible.
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Andrews’ case does not mean that pig kidney transplantation is now a standard treatment for kidney failure. However, it could potentially help patients avoid or reduce their time on dialysis while they wait for a human donor kidney.
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