By Rick Slayman, the first human to receive a kidney transplant from a genetically modified pig, has passed away, according to a statement from Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. The 62-year-old Weymouth, Massachusetts resident underwent the groundbreaking four-hour surgery in March, which the hospital had hailed as “a major milestone in the quest to provide more readily available organs to patients.”
In a statement, the hospital’s transplant team expressed their deep sadness at Slayman’s sudden passing but noted that there was no indication that his death was a result of the recent transplant. Slayman’s family also shared their grief, stating, “Our family is deeply saddened about the sudden passing of our beloved Rick but take great comfort knowing he inspired so many.”
Slayman had previously received a human kidney transplant at the same hospital in 2018 after spending seven years on dialysis. However, the organ failed after five years, forcing him to resume dialysis treatments.
The pig kidney used in the latest transplant was provided by eGenesis, a Cambridge, Massachusetts-based company. The pig had been genetically edited to remove genes harmful to human recipients and to add certain human genes to improve compatibility. The company had also inactivated viruses inherent to pigs that could potentially infect humans.
Prior to the human transplant, kidneys from similarly edited pigs raised by eGenesis had been successfully transplanted into monkeys, which were kept alive for an average of 176 days, with one surviving for more than two years, according to a study published in the journal Nature in October.
To help prevent rejection of the pig organ by Slayman’s immune system, doctors used an experimental antibody called tegoprubart, developed by Eledon Pharmaceuticals, alongside other medications.
The need for organ transplants is dire, with more than 100,000 people in the United States currently awaiting an organ, according to the United Network for Organ Sharing. Kidneys are in the greatest demand.
Prior to Slayman’s transplant, NYU surgeons had transplanted pig kidneys into brain-dead people. In January 2022, a University of Maryland team transplanted a genetically modified pig heart into a 57-year-old man with terminal heart disease, but he died two months later.
The passing of Rick Slayman is a somber reminder of the challenges and uncertainties that come with pioneering medical procedures. While the long-term viability of genetically modified pig organ transplants remains to be seen, Slayman’s willingness to participate in this groundbreaking surgery has undoubtedly contributed to the advancement of medical science and the ongoing quest to save lives through organ transplantation.
