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[HEALTH] · United States · 5 sources

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Tim Andrews survives 271 days with genetically modified pig kidney

A patient in the United States has set a new record for xenotransplantation, living for 271 days with a genetically modified pig kidney. Tim Andrews, a 66-year-old man from New Hampshire suffering from end-stage renal disease due to type 2 diabetes, used the animal organ as a 'bridge' to avoid dialysis while waiting for a human transplant.

The kidney, nicknamed 'Wilma', was sourced from a Yucatan miniature pig that underwent 69 genome edits. These modifications were designed to reduce the risk of immune rejection and prevent the transmission of animal viruses. The medical team at Mass General Brigham reported that the organ functioned effectively for nearly nine months before it eventually failed.

Following the failure of the porcine kidney, Andrews successfully received a human kidney from a deceased donor. This case is being highlighted by researchers as a significant milestone in addressing the global organ shortage, as the patient's chances of receiving a human kidney within five years were estimated at only 9% prior to the experimental procedure.

Entities

Mass General Brigham · New Hampshire · The Lancet · Tim Andrews · Wilma

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