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Massachusetts General Hospital patient survives 271 days with pig kidney
A 66-year-old man, Tim Andrews, lived for 271 days without dialysis after receiving a genetically modified pig kidney, marking a significant milestone in xenotransplantation research. The procedure, conducted at Massachusetts General Hospital, involved a Yucatan miniature pig kidney that had undergone 69 genomic modifications by the biotechnology company eGenesis to improve human compatibility and reduce rejection risks.
The organ functioned effectively for approximately nine months, providing essential filtration and toxin removal. While the patient experienced an initial episode of rejection that was managed with treatment, the kidney eventually began to show signs of vascular damage and inflammation. Following the pig kidney's decline, the patient underwent a successful human kidney transplant from a deceased donor in January 2026.
Researchers, including Dr. Leonardo Riella, suggest that such xenotransplants could serve as a vital bridge for patients with end-stage renal disease, buying time until a compatible human organ becomes available. The study, published in The Lancet, noted that the patient showed no signs of animal-origin infections or antibodies against human tissue, though experts emphasize that further research is needed to address long-term risks and infection control.
Entities
Euronews · Leonardo Riella · Massachusetts General Hospital · The Lancet · Tim Andrews · eGenesis
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 7 SOURCES] The patient received a human kidney transplant from a deceased donor after the pig kidney began to fail. legit9ja.com · www.mediafax.ro · gigazine.net · jurnaluldearges.ro · www.descopera.ro · +2 more
- [● 4 SOURCES] The pig kidney underwent 69 genomic modifications to improve compatibility and safety. www.mediafax.ro · jurnaluldearges.ro · www.e-sante.fr · www.ta3.com
- [● 7 SOURCES] The transplant occurred at Massachusetts General Hospital in January 2025. gigazine.net · jurnaluldearges.ro · www.descopera.ro · oaltoacre.com · www.e-sante.fr · +2 more
- [● 7 SOURCES] A 66-year-old man lived for 271 days without dialysis using a genetically modified pig kidney. legit9ja.com · www.mediafax.ro · gigazine.net · jurnaluldearges.ro · www.descopera.ro · +2 more
- [● 2 SOURCES] The patient showed no signs of antibodies against human tissue or animal-origin infections. www.mediafax.ro · gigazine.net
- [● 6 SOURCES] A study regarding a gene-edited pig kidney transplant was published in The Lancet. www.mediafax.ro · rdmonline.com.br · www.descopera.ro · oaltoacre.com · www.ta3.com