13-5-2024 (NEW YORK) In a sombre development, the first person to receive a genetically modified pig kidney has tragically passed away, Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston announced on Saturday. Rick Slayman, 62, from Weymouth, Massachusetts, had made medical history in March when he underwent a groundbreaking four-hour surgery to receive the pioneering organ transplant.
The hospital’s statement conveyed the profound sadness of the transplant team, stating, “The Mass General transplant team is deeply saddened at the sudden passing of Mr Rick Slayman. We have no indication that it was the result of his recent transplant.”
Slayman’s family expressed their heartache while acknowledging the inspirational impact he had on others. “Our family is deeply saddened about the sudden passing of our beloved Rick, but we take great comfort knowing he inspired so many,” they said in a statement.
The courageous patient had previously received a human kidney transplant at the same hospital in 2018 after seven years on dialysis. Sadly, that organ failed after five years, necessitating his return to dialysis treatments before the groundbreaking pig kidney transplant.
The pioneering kidney was provided by eGenesis, a company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, that had genetically engineered the pig to remove genes harmful to human recipients and add specific human genes to enhance compatibility. Additionally, the company had inactivated inherent pig viruses with the potential to infect humans.
Previous research had demonstrated promising results, with kidneys from similarly edited pigs successfully transplanted into monkeys, which survived for an average of 176 days, with one case exceeding two years, as reported in the prestigious journal Nature last October.
To prevent rejection of the pig organ, Slayman received an experimental antibody called tegoprubart, developed by Eledon Pharmaceuticals, in addition to conventional immunosuppressant drugs.
The dire shortage of organ donors remains a critical issue, with the United Network for Organ Sharing reporting over 100,000 people in the US awaiting a transplant, with kidneys being the most in-demand organ.
