A New Hope for Kidney Patients: The Pig Kidney Breakthrough

A groundbreaking achievement has been made in the field of medicine. A 67-year-old man from New Hampshire, Tim Andrews, lived with a pig kidney for 271 days, setting a new record for the longest survival with an animal organ.

The Transplant and Its Impact

• Patient: Tim Andrews, 67, from New Hampshire
• Kidney Source: Genetically modified pig kidney
• Duration: 271 days (longest survival with an animal organ)
• Hospital: Mass General Brigham
• Outcome: The kidney was removed on October 23 due to declining function. Andrews is now back on dialysis and awaiting another transplant.

Andrews' bravery has significantly contributed to medical research, offering hope to thousands of people with kidney problems.

The Broader Context

The Need for Organs

• Waiting List: Over 100,000 people in the U.S. are waiting for an organ transplant.
• Kidney Demand: Many of these patients need kidneys.
• Annual Deaths: Thousands die each year before receiving a transplant.

Previous Attempts

• Short-Lived Transplants: Earlier pig organ transplants did not last long.
• Recent Success: In 2023, a woman in Alabama lived with a pig kidney for 130 days.

Current Progress

• Healthier Patients: Doctors are now selecting healthier candidates for these transplants, improving outcomes.
• Upcoming Transplants: One more transplant is planned as part of the current test.

Andrews' Journey

• Challenges: Andrews struggled to find a matching kidney due to his blood type.
• Preparation: He worked hard to get healthy enough for the surgery.
• Other Transplants: In June, the same team performed another pig kidney transplant on another man from New Hampshire, who is doing well.

Future of Pig Organ Transplants

Companies Involved

• eGenesis
• United Therapeutics

Both companies are working on larger tests for pig kidney transplants.

International Success

• China: Doctors have successfully performed pig kidney and liver transplants, with the liver transplant lasting 38 days.

This breakthrough offers a promising future for those in need of organ transplants, potentially saving countless lives.