BOSTON — The primary recipient of a genetically modified pig kidney transplant has died practically two months after he underwent the process, his household and the hospital that carried out the surgical procedure mentioned Saturday.
Richard “Rick” Slayman had the transplant at Massachusetts Normal Hospital in March on the age of 62. Surgeons mentioned they believed the pig kidney would final for at the least two years.
The transplant group at Massachusetts Normal Hospital mentioned in a press release it was deeply saddened by Slayman’s passing and provided condolences to his household. They mentioned they did not have any indication that he died because of the transplant.
The Weymouth, Massachusetts, man was the primary residing particular person to have the process. Beforehand, pig kidneys had been briefly transplanted into brain-dead donors. Two men received heart transplants from pigs, though each died inside months.
Slayman had a kidney transplant on the hospital in 2018, however he had to return on dialysis final yr when it confirmed indicators of failure. When dialysis issues arose requiring frequent procedures, his medical doctors prompt a pig kidney transplant.
In a press release, Slayman’s household thanked his medical doctors.
“Their monumental efforts main the xenotransplant gave our household seven extra weeks with Rick, and our recollections made throughout that point will stay in our minds and hearts,” the assertion mentioned.
They mentioned Slayman underwent the surgical procedure partially to supply hope for the 1000’s of people that want a transplant to outlive.
“Rick completed that objective and his hope and optimism will endure without end,” the assertion mentioned.
Xenotransplantation refers to therapeutic human sufferers with cells, tissues or organs from animals. Such efforts lengthy failed as a result of the human immune system instantly destroyed overseas animal tissue. Latest makes an attempt have concerned pigs which have been modified so their organs are extra humanlike.
Greater than 100,000 persons are on the nationwide ready checklist for a transplant, most of them kidney sufferers, and 1000’s die yearly earlier than their flip comes.
