The first recipient of a genetically engineered pig kidney transplant has died nearly two months after undergoing the procedure, his family and the hospital where it was performed announced Saturday.
Richard “Rick” Suleiman underwent a transplant at Massachusetts General Hospital in March at the age of 62. Surgeons said they believe the pig's kidney will last at least two years.
Massachusetts General Hospital's transplant team said in a statement that it was deeply saddened by Suleiman's death and offered its condolences to his family. They said there was no indication that he died as a result of the transplant.
The Weymouth, Massachusetts, man became the first person to undergo this procedure while alive. Previously, pig kidneys were temporarily transplanted into brain-dead donors. Two men received heart transplants from pigs, but both died within a few months.
Suleiman underwent a kidney transplant at the same hospital in 2018, but last year showed signs of failure and had to undergo dialysis again. When dialysis complications arose and frequent procedures became necessary, doctors suggested a pig kidney transplant.
In a statement, Suleiman's family thanked the doctors.
“Thanks to their hard work leading the xenotransplant, our family was able to spend an additional seven weeks with Rick, and the memories made during that time will remain in our hearts and minds. ,” the statement said.
They said Suleiman underwent the surgery in part to give hope to the thousands of people who need transplants to survive.
“Rick achieved that goal and his hope and optimism will last forever,” the statement said.
Xenotransplantation refers to the use of animal cells, tissues, and organs to cure human patients. Such efforts have long failed because the human immune system quickly destroys foreign animal tissue. Recent efforts include modifying pigs to make their organs more similar to humans.
More than 100,000 people nationwide are on transplant waiting lists, most of them kidney patients, and thousands die each year before their turn comes.