BOSTON – In a groundbreaking medical achievement, surgeons at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) have performed what's being touted as the world's first successful transplant of a genetically-edited pig kidney into a living human. The recipient, a 62-year-old man living with end-stage kidney disease, underwent the four-hour-long procedure on March 16, a statement from MGH revealed. With over 100,000 people in the U.S. awaiting an organ transplant, this advancement could signal a significant easing of the shortage of available organs.
The pig kidney, which came from a donor pig genetically edited using CRISPR-Cas9 technology, was modified with 69 genomic edits to improve its compatibility with humans and reduce the risk of rejection. This work is a result of a collaborative effort between the Mass General Transplant Center and eGenesis, a biotech firm specializing in gene editing, according to Mass General's announcement. The team included Dr. Tatsuo Kawai, Director of Legorreta Center for Clinical Transplant Tolerance at MGH, who stated, "Our hope is that this transplant approach will offer a lifeline to millions of patients worldwide who are suffering from kidney failure."
The medical center and eGenesis' partnership dates back five years, resulting in a jointly published study in the journal Nature in 2023. The donor pig's genetic adjustments not only included compatibility enhancements but also the inactivation of porcine endogenous retroviruses, which, aim to eliminate possible infection risks for human recipients. "We are grateful for the courageous contribution of the patient and to the advancement of transplantation science," said Mike Curtis, Chief Executive Officer of eGenesis, highlighting the breakthrough's potential impact on kidney failure patients globally.
The surgery's success marks a historical moment for xenotransplantation, where organs or tissues are transferred from one species to another as a possible solution to the organ shortage crisis. The procedure was performed under an FDA Expanded Access Protocol – a framework that allows critically ill patients to access experimental therapies. Reflecting on the significance of this surgery, President and CEO of Mass General Brigham, Anne Klibanski, MD, said, "Nearly seven decades after the first successful kidney transplant, our clinicians have once again demonstrated our commitment to provide innovative treatments and help ease the burden of disease for our patients and others around the world."
The recipient of this revolutionary transplant, Mr. Richard 'Rick' Slayman from Weymouth, Mass., is reportedly recovering well at MGH. His journey with the hospital's transplant team dates back 11 years, and he previously underwent a kidney transplant in 2018. Addressing his decision to undergo this novel procedure, Slayman expressed his trust in the MGH team and viewed his participation as an opportunity not only for his own health but also as a beacon of hope for many awaiting transplants. "I want to thank everyone at MGH who has cared for me," Slayman told Mass General.
With Massachusetts General Hospital's rich history in pioneering transplantation, this latest venture into xenotransplantation may herald a new era in medical science, offering renewed hope to thousands on transplant waiting lists worldwide.
