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A New Hampshire man has made medical history by becoming the second known person to live with a pig kidney. Tim Andrews, 66, underwent the groundbreaking transplant at Massachusetts General Hospital on January 25 and is now free from dialysis. The hospital announced on Friday that Andrews is recovering well and was discharged just a week after surgery.
“When I woke up in the recovery room, I was a new man,” Andrews shared with The Associated Press, highlighting the life-changing impact of the transplant.
A Turning Point for Xenotransplantation
Andrews’ case represents a significant step forward in the quest to address the severe shortage of human organ donations. Previously, four pig organ transplants—two hearts and two kidneys—were attempted, but the recipients did not survive long-term. However, a more recent case at NYU Langone Health in November saw a patient thriving for over two and a half months with a pig kidney, offering renewed hope for the field.
With FDA approval, doctors at Mass General Brigham are continuing a pilot study that includes two more xenotransplant recipients using gene-edited pig kidneys from biotech company eGenesis. Additionally, United Therapeutics recently secured FDA approval to conduct the world’s first clinical trial of xenotransplantation, with plans to transplant pig kidneys into an initial group of six patients. If successful, the trial could expand to include up to 50 more patients.
“This is uncharted territory,” said Dr. Tatsuo Kawai, who led Andrews’ surgery as well as the world’s first pig kidney transplant last year. “But with lessons from animal research and prior human attempts, I’m very optimistic. Hopefully, we can achieve kidney survival beyond two years.”
The Fight for a New Kidney
Andrews had been battling kidney failure for two years, dealing with fatigue and complications from dialysis. His hopes for a human transplant were slim—patients with his blood type often wait seven years or more for a suitable donor. Determined to find an alternative, Andrews asked Mass General if he could receive a pig kidney instead.
“I told them, ‘Anything, I’ll do anything. You give me a list of things you want me to do, and I’ll do it,’” he recalled.
To qualify for the transplant, Andrews had to improve his health. He underwent physical therapy, lost 30 pounds, and demonstrated significant improvement in his overall fitness. Doctors, reassured by his cardiac health, ultimately approved him for the study.
A Life-Changing Outcome
The surgery was a success—Andrews’ new kidney functioned immediately, turning pink and producing urine in the operating room. Since then, the organ has continued to clear waste without signs of rejection. He has remained under close medical supervision but is expected to return home to New Hampshire soon.
Andrews found support from Towana Looney, the first person to receive a pig kidney transplant at NYU. They exchanged phone calls before and after his procedure, with Looney encouraging him to “stay strong.”
Now, Andrews hopes to share his story with dialysis patients. “I want to go back to my old clinic and tell these people there’s hope because no hope is not a good thing,” he said.
The Future of Xenotransplantation
Dr. Robert Montgomery, a transplant surgeon at NYU, believes patients like Andrews—who are not yet too sick from dialysis but face long waits for human transplants—may be the ideal candidates for early xenotransplantation trials.
While the long-term success of pig kidney transplants remains uncertain, Andrews remains hopeful. If his pig kidney were to fail, he would still qualify for a human transplant without losing his priority status on the waiting list.
For now, Andrews is embracing his second chance at life, inspiring hope for the future of organ transplantation.
Disclaimer: This article is based on current medical research and experimental procedures. Xenotransplantation remains a highly experimental field, and outcomes may vary. Readers should consult medical professionals for personalized advice and information.
