Xenotransplantation

Xenotransplantation is the transplantation of organs from non-human animals to humans. Recent advances in gene-editing technology have enabled several initially successful transplants using kidneys from pigs.

Xenotransplantation

Xenotransplantation is the transplantation of organs from non-human animals to humans. Recent advances in gene-editing technology have enabled several initially successful transplants using kidneys from pigs.

https://kidneycareuk.org/kidney-disease-information/treatments/kidney-transplantation/xenotransplantation/

Could gene-edited organs from animals offer hope for kidney patients?

Kidney Care UK's Policy Director Fiona Loud examines recent progress in xenotransplantation and whether we will ever see transplantation using animal organs in the UK.
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  • Xenotransplantation: a transplant surgeon's perspective

    As Medical Director of Kidney Transplantation at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, Dr Leo Riella has overseen several experimental xenotransplants.

  • Xenotransplantation: a patient's perspective

    In January 2025, 67 year-old Tim Andrews became the fourth person to receive a gene-edited pig kidney. We spoke to him after his surgery.

Xenotransplantation in the news

  • News, Organ donation, Treatment and medication

    March 2024: US surgeons perform first living transplant of gene-edited pig kidney

    62 year old Richard Slayman's surgery was performed at Massachusetts General Hospital. His kidney initially functioned well, but sadly he died seven weeks later.

  • News, Organ donation

    February 2025: third successful xenotransplant takes place in New York

    53 year old Towana Looney's surgery took place at NYU Lagone Health. Ms Looney's new kidney was initially successful but failed after a record 130 days.

  • January 2025: fourth successful xenotransplant in Boston

    67 year old Tim Andrews's gene-edited pig kidney continued to function for 271 days, the longest of any xenotransplant kidney on record.

Kidney transplantation

Kidney transplantation is a treatment option for many patients who have long-term kidney failure. When you receive a kidney transplant, your damaged kidneys are replaced with a new kidney from either a living or deceased donor. Find out more about transplantation and kidney donation with Kidney Care UK's patient information.

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