A statement from Massachusetts General Hospital said the death had “no indication that it was the result of his recent transplant.”
The patient died at the age of 62 Richard Slayman – first person a receive a kidney from a genetically modified pig. The man’s death occurred two months after the transplant.
The news was confirmed by Massachusetts General Hospital, in WE, where Slayman underwent surgery. In a statement, the hospital said the transplant team was “deeply saddened” by his death.
The statement also included information that the death “had no indication that it was the result of his recent transplant.”
Historic
The patient had end-stage renal disease. In 2018, Richard Slayman received the transplant of a human kidney. However, in 2023, when his kidney began to fail, he developed congestive heart failure and his doctors suggested he try a modified pig kidney.
Considered a medical milestone, his surgery lasted four hours and was conducted by Brazilian doctor Leonardo Riella.
With great joy, I share that our patient who received a genetically modified pig kidney transplant was discharged home today after removal of dialysis access. We hope this is a first step that brings hope to many patients waiting for a kidney transplant #xenotransplant pic.twitter.com/Cb9vkyoaBO
— Leonardo V. Riella (@LVRiella) April 3, 2024
The pig kidney transplanted into Slayman was developed by eGenesis, a biotechnology company based in Cambridge, US.
For the procedure, scientists removed three genes and added seven more to improve compatibility. The company also inactivated retroviruses carried by pigs that can be harmful to humans.
Slayman was released from the hospital two weeks after surgery with “some of the best health I’ve had in a long time,” he said at the time.
Source: Terra
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