First living recipient of pig kidney dies months after transplant

Paradise Afshar, Chris Boyette and Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN

(CNN) — A 62-year-old man has died months aft becoming nan world’s first surviving recipient of a genetically edited pig kidney transplant, hailed arsenic a aesculapian milestone.

Rick Slayman received nan kidney astatine Massachusetts General successful March aft he had been diagnosed pinch end-stage kidney illness past year. The infirmary emphasized location is nary denotation his decease was a consequence of nan transplant.

After undergoing nan four-hour room astatine nan proposal of his doctors, Slayman, a head pinch nan Massachusetts Department of Transportation, was discharged from nan infirmary successful April. After nan surgery, doctors said they believed nan caller kidney could past years, but acknowledged location are galore unknowns successful animal-to-human transplants.

“Mr. Slayman will everlastingly beryllium seen arsenic a beacon of dream to countless transplant patients worldwide and we are profoundly grateful for his spot and willingness to beforehand nan section of xenotransplantation,” Massachusetts General said successful a statement.

“We connection our heartfelt condolences to Mr. Slayman’s family and loved ones arsenic they retrieve an bonzer personification whose generosity and kindness touched each who knew him.”

Slayman’s family described him arsenic a benignant man who was fiercely dedicated to nan group successful his life.

“Our family is profoundly saddened astir nan abrupt passing of our beloved Rick but return awesome comfortableness knowing he inspired truthful many,” a family connection said. “Millions of group worldwide person travel to cognize Rick’s story. We felt – and still consciousness – comforted by nan optimism he provided patients desperately waiting for a transplant.”

Slayman had been a diligent successful nan hospital’s transplant programme for 11 years, he antecedently said successful a statement. He received a kidney from a quality philanthropist successful 2018, aft surviving pinch glucosuria and precocious humor unit for galore years. The kidney began to show signs of nonaccomplishment 5 years later, and he resumed dialysis successful 2023.

“I saw it not only arsenic a measurement to thief me, but a measurement to supply dream for nan thousands of group who request a transplant to survive,” Slayman wrote successful nan statement.

Dr. Tatsuo Kawai, head of nan Legorreta Center for Clinical Transplant Tolerance, performed nan groundbreaking cognition successful March to a information of applause successful nan operating room.

The request for organs acold exceeds nan number disposable successful nan US. According to nan Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network, location are much than 100,000 group presently waiting for an organ donation.

Experts person agelong been researching really to safely and successfully transplant animal organs into people, which they opportunity could thief lick nan organ shortage.

Before Slayman’s transplant, conscionable 2 transplants utilizing pig organs had been completed – some bosom transplants performed nether compassionate use. Both patients died weeks aft receiving nan hearts.

EGenesis, nan biotech institution providing nan genetically edited pig kidney, called Slayman “a existent pioneer” successful a connection precocious Saturday night.

“We are profoundly grateful to Mr. Slayman and his family and we will grant his bequest and invaluable publication to subject and medicine by continuing our efforts to beforehand xenotransplantation for nan millions of patients globally successful request of lifesaving organs,” nan institution added.

Slayman’s family besides thanked his attraction squad astatine crossed Massachusetts General successful a statement.

“After his transplant, Rick said that 1 of nan reasons he underwent this process was to supply dream for nan thousands of group who request a transplant to survive. Rick accomplished that extremity and his dream and optimism will strengthen forever. His bequest will beryllium 1 that inspires patients, researchers, and wellness attraction professionals everywhere,” his family said.

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