The primary particular person to obtain a genetically modified pig kidney transplant has been discharged from Massachusetts Common Hospital, the hospital introduced on Wednesday.
Rick Slayman, 62, had end-stage kidney illness earlier than receiving the life-saving transplant on March 16.
The pig kidney was genetically edited to make it extra appropriate with a human recipient and to get rid of the chance of an infection.
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“This second – leaving the hospital right this moment with one of many cleanest payments of well being I’ve had in a very long time – is one I needed would come for a few years,” Slayman mentioned in an announcement.
“Now, it’s a actuality and one of many happiest moments of my life.”
“I need to thank everybody at Massachusetts Common Hospital who cared for me earlier than and after my historic transplant, particularly Dr. [Winifred] Williams, Dr. [Leonardo] Riella, Dr. [Tatsuo] Kawai, and the numerous nurses who sorted me every single day of my keep,” he continued.
“The care I obtained was distinctive and I belief [the] physicians of the Mass Common Brigham well being system with my life.”
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Slayman additionally mentioned, “I’m excited to renew spending time with my household, associates and family members free from the burden of dialysis that has affected my high quality of life for a few years … My restoration is progressing easily and I ask for privateness presently.”
Slayman obtained his first kidney transplant from a human donor in 2017.
His organ started failing once more in Could 2023, when he went on dialysis.
“The success of this transplant is the fruits of efforts by 1000’s of scientists and physicians over a number of many years,” mentioned Tatsuo Kawai, M.D., PhD, director of the Legorreta Heart for Medical Transplant Tolerance at Massachusetts Common Hospital (MGH), in a press launch following the surgical procedure.
“This second – leaving the hospital right this moment with one of many cleanest payments of well being I’ve had in a very long time – is one I needed would come for a few years.”
“We’re privileged to have performed a big position on this milestone. Our hope is that this transplant method will supply a lifeline to hundreds of thousands of sufferers worldwide who’re affected by kidney failure,” he additionally mentioned.
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Slayman has been a affected person at Mass Common Transplant Heart for 11 years.
The profitable surgical procedure marks a “historic milestone” in xenotransplantation, which is the transplant of organs throughout species, the hospital famous.
Any such process might doubtlessly present another resolution to the worldwide organ scarcity.
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Greater than 100,000 folks within the U.S. are presently on ready lists for organ transplants — and 17 of these die every day, in line with the United Community for Organ Sharing (UNOS).
At MGH alone, greater than 1,400 sufferers are presently on the ready listing for a kidney transplant.
Kidneys prime the listing of essentially the most generally wanted organs, as end-stage kidney illness is anticipated to extend by wherever from 29% to 69% by 2030.
MGH beforehand carried out the world’s first human organ transplant, of a kidney, at Brigham and Girls’s Hospital in 1954.
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Fox Information Digital reached out to MGH and extra physicians requesting remark.
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