A New Hampshire man recently made medical history by living with a gene-edited pig kidney for a record 271 days before resuming dialysis. Tim Andrews, 67, underwent the groundbreaking experiment to help researchers in their quest for animal-to-human transplants.
According to Mass General Brigham, Andrews had the pig kidney removed on Oct. 23 due to declining function. Despite this setback, his transplant team praised him as “a selfless medical pioneer and an inspiration” to other kidney failure patients.
The experiment with Andrews shed light on the progress researchers have made in xenotransplantation, where pig organs are gene-edited to be more compatible with humans. Previous attempts with pig hearts and kidneys were short-lived, but by selecting patients in better health, researchers have seen more success. An Alabama woman’s pig kidney lasted 130 days before removal, a record that Andrews surpassed.
With over 100,000 people on the U.S. transplant list, most in need of kidneys, Andrews sought an alternative due to his rare blood type. He participated in Mass General’s xenotransplant pilot study after getting in shape to qualify. Despite the removal of the pig kidney, Andrews remains on the transplant list.
In a separate case, the Mass General team successfully transplanted a pig kidney into another New Hampshire man who continues to do well. The pilot study is set to conclude with a third pig kidney transplant later this year. Companies like eGenesis and United Therapeutics are gearing up for more rigorous clinical trials of pig kidney transplants.
In China, surgeons are also delving into this field, with reports of a pig kidney transplant and a transplanted pig liver that had to be removed after 38 days. The advancements in xenotransplantation offer hope for those in need of organ transplants and could potentially save thousands of lives.
The Associated Press reported on this groundbreaking medical achievement, emphasizing the importance of ongoing research in the field of xenotransplantation. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission, highlighting the significance of this medical breakthrough for future patients in need of organ transplants.
