World

First pig kidney transplant patient discharged from US hospital

April 4, 2024
12:06 PM

The patient who underwent the first genetically modified kidney transplant from a pig to a human was discharged from hospital in the United States on Wednesday (3).

“We are happy to share that today, Rick Slayman, our first patient to receive a genetically modified pig kidney transplant, was released from the hospital. He is recovering well and will continue to recover at home with his family,” Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) said on social media.

The world-first transplant was led by Brazilian doctor Leonardo Riella, who celebrated his discharge on social media.

“We hope this is a first step that brings hope to many patients awaiting a kidney transplant,” he wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

With tremendous joy, I share that our patient who received a gene-edited pig kidney transplant was discharged home today after removal of his dialysis access. We hope that this is a first step that will bring hope to many patients waiting for a kidney transplant #xenotransplant pic.twitter.com/Cb9vkyoaBO

— Leonardo V. Riella (@LVRiella) April 3, 2024

Slayman has not yet spoken publicly about the surgery he underwent, but in a statement shared by the hospital he thanked the doctors.

“This moment of leaving the hospital today with one of the healthiest statements I've had in a long time is something I've wanted for many years. Now it is a reality and one of the happiest moments of my life”, said the patient.

“Finally, I want to thank everyone who saw my story and sent good wishes, especially to patients awaiting a kidney transplant. Today marks a new beginning not only for me, but for them as well. My recovery is progressing smoothly and I ask for privacy at this time,” she concluded.

Rick Slayman, a 62-year-old man from Weymouth, Massachusetts, has been diagnosed with end-stage kidney disease.

In a written patient statement provided by the hospital, Slayman said he had been a patient in the hospital's transplant program for 11 years. This wasn't Slayman's first kidney transplant.

He received a previous human kidney in 2018, after living with diabetes and high blood pressure for many years. That kidney began to show signs of failure five years later and he resumed dialysis in 2023.

When he was diagnosed with end-stage kidney disease last year, he said his doctors suggested he try pig kidney.

“I saw this not only as a way to help myself, but also as a way to give hope to the thousands of people who need a transplant to survive,” Slayman said in the written statement.

“Historical milestone”, Brazilian doctor who led transplant tells CNN

The first genetically modified pig kidney transplant to a living human, carried out on March 16, was a “historical milestone” for Medicine, said Brazilian doctor Leonardo Riella, who led the operation.

Riella highlighted that this surgery “didn’t happen overnight”, but is the result of decades of research to make the animal’s organ compatible with humans.

“In 1960, there was an attempt to carry out this transplant [de rim de porco para um humano], but there was acute and immediate rejection. It was through biology and science that we began to understand what these incompatibilities were”, he highlighted.

As the doctor said during the interview with CNN the pig's genes were edited more than 69 times for greater compatibility and to reduce the risk of infections.

Thus, he highlighted that the potential of xenotransplantation — that of an organ from an animal to a human” — is “incredible”.

Another point highlighted during the interview with CNN it was the process for the patient to be informed and accept to undergo the operation. It was Dr Riella who told about the transplant with a pig kidney.

“He [paciente] He takes all the credibility for having the courage to accept a procedure in which there were many uncertainties. Although we were very confident that we could do this in a safe way, we could not guarantee the success of this,” he explained.

Thus, there were several discussions until the 62-year-old man accepted the operation, having discussed it with doctors who had previously looked after him and family members, for example.

Source: CNN Brasil

Bruce

Bruce Belcher is a seasoned author with over 5 years of experience in world news. He writes for online news websites and provides in-depth analysis on the world stock market. Bruce is known for his insightful perspectives and commitment to keeping the public informed.