Boston‑area doctors at Mass General Brigham reported a landmark achievement in xenotransplantation: Tim Andrews, 66, survived 271 days after receiving a pig kidney, the longest dialysis‑free period recorded for a porcine‑to‑human kidney transplant.

Bridge to Human Transplant

During those 271 days Andrews required no dialysis, allowing his condition to stabilize until a compatible human kidney became available. The hospital replaced the pig organ with a human kidney earlier this year, and Andrews remains alive and well, according to a statement from Mass General.

Study Findings

The case was detailed in The Lancet, where the authors noted that the pig kidney safely supported renal function while serving as a bridge to a subsequent human transplant. Lead author Dr. Leonardo Riella emphasized the organ shortage as “the greatest crisis we have right now in transplantation,” noting that more than 100,000 people are on the national waiting list, the majority for kidneys.

Potential Impact

Riella explained that xenotransplantation could help patients like Andrews buy critical time while awaiting a human donor. He added that, if long‑term safety and durability are confirmed, pig kidneys might eventually serve as a destination therapy, not just a temporary solution.

Previous Milestones

Mass General performed the world’s first pig‑to‑human kidney transplant in 2024; that patient survived 52 days before dying of unrelated cardiac causes. The new 271‑day outcome represents a significant step forward, demonstrating that porcine kidneys can function for extended periods in humans.

While the research is still in early stages, the results offer hope for addressing the chronic organ shortage that has left countless patients on dialysis, awaiting a life‑saving transplant.

Original reporting: Dallas TX News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.