BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, USA: A medical team at Mass General Hospital has achieved another milestone by successfully performing their second genetically modified pig kidney transplant. This groundbreaking operation is only the fourth such procedure ever completed worldwide. The recipient, Tim Andrews, a 66-year-old from Concord, New Hampshire, was suffering from end-stage kidney disease and had been on daily dialysis for two years.
Two weeks ago, Andrews underwent a 2.5-hour surgery where he received a kidney from a genetically edited pig. As a testament to the effectiveness of the transplant, Andrews is now off dialysis and regaining a quality of life previously curtailed by his illness. Describing the transplant as analogous to running a marathon, doctors highlighted the importance of preparation to overcome the post-surgery challenges, a mindset Andrews fully embraced.
Andrews was discharged just a week after the operation, marking a swift recovery. However, he remains under medical observation in the Boston area to ensure his blood sugar levels stabilize—a concern that precluded his planned appearance at the recent news conference. The hospital emphasizes the delicate nature of his ongoing recovery while celebrating the procedure’s success.
This monumental achievement in xenotransplantation not only signals medical progress but also regulatory advancements. After operating under emergency FDA approvals for previous transplants, recent FDA consent for clinical trials signals a new era of accessibility. One of these trials is slated to commence at Mass General Hospital, a testament to the growing promise of such transplants in addressing organ shortages.
