In a groundbreaking medical achievement, Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston successfully conducted the world’s first transplant of a genetically edited pig kidney into a 62-year-old man with end-stage kidney disease. The procedure involved a pig kidney with 69 genomic edits and marked a significant milestone in providing more available organs to patients. The patient, Richard Slayman, had previously received a human kidney transplant but experienced failure five years later, leading to a return to dialysis. Slayman bravely chose to undergo the experimental pig kidney transplant, seeing it as a way to provide hope for others in need.
The successful surgery was made possible by advancements in xenotransplantation technology, which involves the transplantation of organs or tissues from one species to another. The pig kidney was provided by eGenesis and genetically modified to improve compatibility with humans. By deactivating porcine endogenous retroviruses in the donor, the team eliminated any risk of infection in humans. Dr. Leonardo Riella, the transplant nephrologist, expressed gratitude to the MGH team and highlighted the patient’s courage in undergoing the innovative procedure.
This historic transplant comes seven decades after Mass General Brigham performed the first successful human kidney organ transplant in 1954. The hospital hopes that this approach will offer a lifeline to millions of patients worldwide suffering from kidney failure. The procedure was conducted under an FDA Expanded Access Protocol, demonstrating the potential of xenotransplantation as a solution to the global organ shortage. The success of this surgery paves the way for future advancements in medical treatment and underscores the importance of innovation in healthcare.
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