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Rachel V Thomas

Pig Kidney Works In Human Body For 271 Days: Why Xenotransplants Could Bridge The Organ Transplant Gap

A pig kidney transplanted into a US man in 2025 functioned in his body for 271 days, marking the longest dialysis-free survival reported following a porcine kidney transplant, according to Harvard Medical School.

Tim Andrews, who was 66 at the time of the xenotransplantation, did not need dialysis for 271 days before receiving a human kidney from a deceased donor.

In January 2025, Andrews, received a genetically edited pig kidney, after being on dialysis for more than two years due to end-stage kidney disease. He became the fourth worldwide to receive a pig kidney.

Andrews received the genetically engineered pig kidney under an FDA Expanded Access Investigational New Drug application. 

A team of doctors monitored him for kidney function, rejection, antibody development and potential pig-to-human infection, and found that the kidney began functioning immediately. An early episode of T-cell-mediated rejection resolved with treatment, and no pig pathogen transmission was detected, revealed the case published in the journal The Lancet.

After approximately six months, immunosuppression was reduced because of an infection. The xenotransplant subsequently developed microvascular injury and inflammation that progressed to organ failure.

In January this year Andrews received a deceased-donor human kidney, which showed immediate graft function, with no evidence of sensitization during follow-up.

The findings illustrate both the promise of xenotransplantation and the areas that still need improvement before pig organs can become a broader transplant option.

Importantly, the microvascular injury seen in the porcine kidney has implications for developing immunosuppressive strategies, donor genetic engineering and monitoring approaches in future clinical transplantation studies, the researchers said.

<h2>Xenotransplants And The Organ Transplant Gap</h2>

According to the latest data from the Global Observatory on Donation and Transplantation, a record 183,896 solid organ transplants were performed globally across 96 countries. This represents a 4% increase over 2024, primarily driven by an 11% rise in donations after circulatory death (DCD) and a 4% increase in living-donor transplants.

Despite this growth, a 90% unmet need remains a critical global issue as demand continues to rise, driven by chronic conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

In the US alone, over 109,000 people remain on the national transplant waiting list, while an average of 12 people die every day waiting for a compatible match, according to HRSA Organ Donor Statistics.

India recorded a record 20,138 transplants, yet more than 89,000 patients are actively waitlisted, according to data from NOTTO. The deceased-donor rate remains critically low at 0.77 per million people, with deceased-donor organs accounting for only 18% of the country's total transplant pool.

“The organ shortage is the greatest crisis we have right now in transplantation,” said Leonardo Riella, associate professor of surgery at Mass General and medical director for kidney transplantation at Mass General Brigham.

“We know that the best treatment option for patients with end-stage kidney disease who have developed renal failure is transplantation, but we simply don’t have enough human organs to transplant in a timely manner.”

Andrews’ case therefore offers a potential way to help bridge this gap.

“Our vision is that xenotransplantation could help address this gap — initially as a bridge to get patients off dialysis while they wait for a human donor kidney, and potentially, as we establish long-term safety and durability, as a destination therapy in its own right,” Riella said.

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A pig kidney transplanted into a US man in 2025 functioned in his body for 271 days, marking the longest dialysis-free survival reported following a porcine kidney transplant, according to Harvard Medical School.Tim Andrews, who was 66 at the time of the xenotransplantation, did not need dialysis for 271 days before receiving a human kidney from a deceased donor.What Happened In The Case?In January 2025, Andrews, received a genetically edited pig kidney, after being on dialysis for more than two years due to end-stage kidney disease. He became the fourth worldwide to receive a pig kidney.Andrews received the genetically engineered pig kidney under an FDA Expanded Access Investigational New Drug application. A team of doctors monitored him for kidney function, rejection, antibody development and potential pig-to-human infection, and found that the kidney began functioning immediately. An early episode of T-cell-mediated rejection resolved with treatment, and no pig pathogen transmission was detected, revealed the case published in the journal The Lancet.After approximately six months, immunosuppression was reduced because of an infection. The xenotransplant subsequently developed microvascular injury and inflammation that progressed to organ failure.In January this year Andrews received a deceased-donor human kidney, which showed immediate graft function, with no evidence of sensitization during follow-up.What Did The Case Show?The findings illustrate both the promise of xenotransplantation and the areas that still need improvement before pig organs can become a broader transplant option.Importantly, the microvascular injury seen in the porcine kidney has implications for developing immunosuppressive strategies, donor genetic engineering and monitoring approaches in future clinical transplantation studies, the researchers said.Xenotransplants And The Organ Transplant GapAccording to the latest data from the Global Observatory on Donation and Transplantation, a record 183,896 solid organ transplants were performed globally across 96 countries. This represents a 4% increase over 2024, primarily driven by an 11% rise in donations after circulatory death (DCD) and a 4% increase in living-donor transplants.Despite this growth, a 90% unmet need remains a critical global issue as demand continues to rise, driven by chronic conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease.In the US alone, over 109,000 people remain on the national transplant waiting list, while an average of 12 people die every day waiting for a compatible match, according to HRSA Organ Donor Statistics.India recorded a record 20,138 transplants, yet more than 89,000 patients are actively waitlisted, according to data from NOTTO. The deceased-donor rate remains critically low at 0.77 per million people, with deceased-donor organs accounting for only 18% of the country's total transplant pool.“The organ shortage is the greatest crisis we have right now in transplantation,” said Leonardo Riella, associate professor of surgery at Mass General and medical director for kidney transplantation at Mass General Brigham.“We know that the best treatment option for patients with end-stage kidney disease who have developed renal failure is transplantation, but we simply don’t have enough human organs to transplant in a timely manner.”Andrews’ case therefore offers a potential way to help bridge this gap.“Our vision is that xenotransplantation could help address this gap — initially as a bridge to get patients off dialysis while they wait for a human donor kidney, and potentially, as we establish long-term safety and durability, as a destination therapy in its own right,” Riella said.

pig kidney works in human body for 271 days: why xenotransplants could bridge the organ transplant gap

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Pig Kidney Works In Human Body For 271 Days: Why Xenotransplants Could Bridge The Organ Transplant Gap

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Pig Kidney Works In Human Body For 271 Days: Why Xenotransplants Could Bridge The Organ Transplant Gap

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