Transplanted pig kidney works in US man's body for record 271 days

What the report says

BBC World News reports that a pig kidney transplanted into Tim Andrews, a man in the United States with end-stage kidney disease, functioned for 271 days before it was removed. Doctors at Mass General Brigham said this is the longest recorded period that a pig kidney has worked in a human body. Andrews received the xenotransplant on January 25, 2025, while waiting for a human donor kidney, after being told the wait for a transplant could be several years.

According to the article, the pig organ began working immediately and initially helped Andrews avoid repeated dialysis visits. The transplant team said the case suggests genetically modified pig organs could serve as a temporary “bridge” for patients who do not have a human donor available. The kidney was taken out in October after signs of inflammation and blood vessel damage, though early rejection concerns had been managed by changing his medication.

Andrews later spent 82 days on dialysis before receiving a human donor kidney in January, which is still functioning well. The report places the case in the wider context of organ shortages and growing interest in xenotransplantation, the use of animal organs in people. BBC World News notes that researchers have modified donor pigs to reduce immune rejection and infection risks, but say major challenges remain before the approach can become routine.