Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston announced the passing of Rick Slayman, a 62-year-old man from Weymouth, Massachusetts, who had end-stage renal disease. Slayman made headlines earlier this year as the first recipient of a kidney from a genetically modified pig. The hospital expressed deep sadness at his sudden passing but clarified that there was no indication his death was related to the transplant.
Slayman underwent the groundbreaking surgery in March, marking a significant advancement in organ transplantation efforts. Despite the loss, his family expressed gratitude for the inspiration he provided to many.
This wasn’t Slayman’s first transplant experience; he had previously received a human kidney in 2018 at the same hospital after years on dialysis. Unfortunately, that organ failed after five years, necessitating a return to dialysis.
The kidney Slayman received was provided by eGenesis, a company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The pig’s genes were modified to eliminate harmful elements and enhance compatibility with humans. Previous experiments involving transplants from similarly edited pigs into monkeys had shown promising results, with some primates surviving for extended periods.
To prevent rejection of the pig organ, Slayman received experimental antibody treatment, including tegoprubart developed by Eledon Pharmaceuticals. This development offers hope to the over 100,000 people in the U.S. awaiting organ transplants, with kidneys being in highest demand.
While Slayman’s case marks a significant step forward in organ transplantation, it also highlights the challenges and risks associated with such procedures. Despite advancements, there is still much to learn and refine in the field of xenotransplantation.