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Pig Kidney Xenotransplant Successfully Bridges Patient with End-Stage Kidney Disease to Human Transplant
A woman has lived with the gene-edited kidney for 285 days without dialysis, while eGenesis prepares a formal trial for 2027.
- On Thursday, a patient at Massachusetts General Hospital reached a record-setting 285 days living with a genetically edited pig kidney without needing dialysis. Cambridge-based biotech company eGenesis confirmed the organ, modified using Crispr gene editing, remains fully functional.
- Dr. Leonardo Riella, medical director for kidney transplantation at Mass General Brigham, views xenotransplantation as a temporary "bridge" to help patients avoid dialysis. The procedure addresses a critical shortage: more than 95,000 Americans currently wait for a human kidney.
- Tim Andrews, a 66-year-old from New Hampshire, previously held the record at 271 days with a pig kidney. Andrews called the transplant a "miracle" that gave him "hope," though he later needed dialysis before receiving a human donor organ.
- A study published in The Lancet identified that Andrews' pig kidney failed due to thrombotic microangiopathy—tiny blood clots in the organ. Doctors are adjusting immunosuppressant medications and refining protocols based on these findings to improve outcomes for future recipients.
- The FDA has authorized eGenesis to conduct formal trials in up to 33 patients with kidney failure beginning in 2027. Researchers aim to establish pig-to-human transplantation as a long-term destination therapy, not merely a temporary bridge.
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21 Articles
21 Articles
Doctors and researchers have explored the possibilities of transplanting animal organs because there is a shortage of transplant organs from humans, reports the BBC.
·Helsinki, Finland
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According to the treatment team, the case shows that pig organs can be used as a kind of temporary solution until a human donor organ is found.
·Helsinki, Finland
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Evening Standard+2 Reposted by 2 other sources
Man given genetically modified pig kidney for nine months in world first
The organ was used as a temporary ‘bridge’ while the man waited for a transplant from a human donor.
·London, United Kingdom
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A 66-year-old from the USA receives the kidney of a mini pig in 2025. For nine months the genetically modified organ works, a new record. The man finally receives a donor kidney. From the point of view of doctors, this makes hope.
Coverage Details
Total News Sources21
Leaning Left6Leaning Right1Center8Last UpdatedBias Distribution53% Center
Bias Distribution
- 53% of the sources are Center
53% Center
L 40%
C 53%
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