A Life-Changing Procedure for Tim Andrews
For 66-year-old Tim Andrews, a kidney transplant was the only hope for survival. After spending two years on dialysis due to end-stage kidney disease, he faced an uphill battle in finding a donor. His blood type, O, made the wait even longer, with some patients in similar situations waiting up to 10 years. Statistics showed that his chance of surviving five more years on dialysis was just 35%.
Faced with limited time and dwindling options, Andrews did not hesitate when doctors at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) proposed an experimental transplant using a kidney from a gene-edited pig. The groundbreaking surgery took place on January 25, 2024, through the US Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Expanded Access pathway, also known as compassionate use. This allowed Andrews to become the first participant in a three-patient study and only the second person in the world currently living with a pig kidney transplant.
A Beacon of Hope
Following the surgery, Andrews expressed his immense gratitude:
“As soon as I woke up after the surgery, the cloud of dialysis disappeared. I felt re-energized and revitalized. It was a miracle.”
He was discharged just a week later and now undergoes regular monitoring, including thrice-weekly blood tests and remote health tracking. Like human transplant recipients, he must take lifelong medication to prevent organ rejection.
The Science Behind Pig Kidney Transplants
The transplant was made possible by eGenesis, a biotech company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, specializing in xenotransplantation—the practice of using animal organs in human transplants.
How Does Gene Editing Help?
Using the CRISPR gene-editing technology, scientists at eGenesis made over 60 modifications to the pig’s DNA. These genetic changes help:
Reduce the risk of rejection by the human immune system.
Ensure the organ is a suitable size for transplantation.
Prevent the transmission of pig-related viruses to humans.
Another company, United Therapeutics, also received FDA approval for a similar trial, modifying pig kidneys with 10 gene edits. Their study aims to perform six transplants in 2025, potentially expanding to 50 patients.
The Future of Xenotransplantation
The field of xenotransplantation has made rapid advancements over the past few years. Several successful pig kidney transplants have taken place in the United States, offering renewed hope to thousands of patients.
Dr. Leonardo Riella, medical director for kidney transplantation at MGH, emphasized the importance of this study:
“Our three-patient study this year will provide critical insights into the long-term viability of xenotransplants as a transformative solution for thousands of patients in need of a life-saving kidney.”
A Turning Point in Organ Transplants
According to Dr. Jayme Locke, a transplant surgeon at NYU Langone Health, the recent FDA approvals mark a significant milestone for the medical community:
“The whole field has been working towards this moment. We now have a clear path to bring this technology to more patients.”
While previous attempts at pig kidney transplants resulted in only short-term survival, newer approaches are now being tested on healthier individuals who qualify for traditional transplant waitlists.
The Growing Need for Alternative Organ Sources
The demand for kidney transplants far exceeds the availability of donor organs. In the US alone:
37 million adults suffer from chronic kidney disease.
800,000 people have end-stage kidney failure.
Each year, 80,000–100,000 patients are added to the kidney transplant waitlist.
Only 25,000–28,000 transplants are performed annually.
For many, finding a donor is a long and uncertain journey. Pigs could provide a revolutionary solution, expanding the pool of available organs and saving thousands of lives.
A New Lease on Life
The success of gene-edited pig kidney transplants has opened doors to an exciting new era in medicine. With continued research, these procedures could soon become a viable and widely accepted alternative to human donor organs.
For patients like Tim Andrews, the experimental transplant has provided something invaluable—a second chance at life. As he put it:
“This transplant isn’t just about me. It’s about all the people I met at the dialysis clinic who are still waiting. It’s a glimmer of hope for them.”
Sources:
Massachusetts General Hospital Press Release
US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
eGenesis Biotech Company
United Therapeutics Xenotransplantation Report
NYU Langone Health Transplant Institute