Rick Slayman, the Massachusetts man who received the first pig kidney transplant in the world has died two months after.
The 62-year-old who was discharged from Massachusetts General Hospital on March 21 two weeks after the landmark surgery to continue his recovery at home, died on Saturday.
The kidney was genetically altered to remove pig genes and add in human ones that would help improve its capability.
In a statement, Massachusetts General Hospital that announced Slayman's passing, emphasized that there was no indication his death was a result of the transplant procedure.
"The Mass General transplant team is deeply saddened at the sudden passing of Mr. Rick Slayman. We have no indication that it was the result of his recent transplant. Mr. Slayman will forever be seen as a beacon of hope to countless transplant patients worldwide and we are deeply grateful for his trust and willingness to advance the field of xenotransplantation.
‘We offer our heartfelt condolences to Mr. Slayman's family and loved ones as they remember an extraordinary person whose generosity and kindness touched all who knew him," Massachusetts General Hospital said in the statement.
Slayman had been living with hypertension and Type 2 diabetes for several years. He received a human kidney transplant in 2018, but five years later, it began to fail.
In their own statement, Slayman's family remembered him as an inspiration for many worldwide.
"Millions of people worldwide have come to know Rick's story. We felt – and still feel – comforted by the optimism he provided patients desperately waiting for a transplant. To us, Rick was a kind-hearted man with a quick-witted sense of humor who was fiercely dedicated to his family, friends, and co-workers," Slayman's family said in a statement.
"After his transplant, Rick said that one of the reasons he underwent this procedure was to provide hope for the thousands of people who need a transplant to survive. Rick accomplished that goal and his hope and optimism will endure forever. His legacy will be one that inspires patients, researchers, and health care professionals everywhere," the family said.
Pig kidney transplants hold promise for future of organ transplantation, potentially addressing the critical shortage of human donor organs. However, more clinical trials are required . The success of the first pig kidney transplant paves the way for larger clinical trials to assess the long-term safety and efficacy of this approach.
Researchers are working on further refining genetic modifications to make pig organs more compatible with the human body and reduce the risk of rejection. They are developing new immunosuppressive regimens to prevent rejection while minimizing side effects is crucial for the success of pig kidney transplants.
Already, regulatory bodies are planning to establish guidelines for the ethical procurement and use of pig organs for transplantation.
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