Pig Kidney Bridges Patient to Human Transplant

A genetically modified pig kidney kept kidney-failure patient Tim Andrews off dialysis for 271 days before he received a human kidney, marking the first reported transition from a pig-kidney transplant to a human transplant. Andrews, who had severe kidney disease linked to diabetes and high blood pressure, received the pig organ at Massachusetts General Hospital in January 2025 and later had it removed after its function declined. His case, reported in The Lancet, offers early evidence that genetically edited pig kidneys could serve as temporary “bridges” for patients awaiting scarce human organs, potentially preventing the deterioration associated with prolonged dialysis. Researchers modified the pig kidney to reduce rejection risks and address other biological barriers, but immune rejection, infection, organ durability and safety remain significant challenges. The approach is still experimental, though specialists say it could eventually help reduce the kidney transplant shortage and might one day become a longer-term treatment.