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An American died months after he got up the world’s first living recipient of a genetically edited pig kidney transplanthailed as a milestone in medicine.
Rick Sleiman, 62, received the kidney at Massachusetts General in March after being diagnosed with end-stage kidney disease last year.
The hospital stressed that there was no indication that his death was a result of the transplant.
After undergoing four hours of surgery on the recommendation of his doctors, Sleiman – a manager at the Massachusetts Department of Transportation – was released from the hospital in April.
After the surgery, doctors said they believed the new kidney could last for years, but acknowledged there are many unknowns in animal-to-human transplants.
“Sleiman will forever be seen as a beacon of hope for countless transplant patients around the world, and we are deeply grateful for his trust and desire to advance the field of xenotransplantation,” said the Massachusetts general.
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to Mr. Sleiman’s family and loved ones as they remember an extraordinary man whose generosity and kindness touched all who knew him.”
Sleiman’s family described him as a kind man who was fiercely devoted to the people in his life.
“Our family is deeply saddened by the sudden passing of our beloved Rick, but we take comfort in knowing that he inspired so many,” the family said.
“Millions of people around the world have heard Rick’s story. We were – and still are – comforted by the optimism he gave to patients desperately waiting for a transplant.”
Sleiman had been a patient in the hospital’s transplant program for 11 years, he said earlier.
He received a kidney from a human donor in 2018 after living with diabetes and high blood pressure for many years.
The kidney began to show signs of failure five years later and he resumed dialysis in 2023.
“I saw this not only as a way to help me, but as a way to provide hope to the thousands of people who need a transplant to survive,” Sleiman said of the later transplant.
Director of the Legorreta Clinical Transplant Tolerance Center, Dr. Tatsuo Kawai, performed the groundbreaking surgery in March to thunderous applause in the operating room.
The need for organs far exceeds the number available in the US. According to the Network for Organ Procurement and Transplantation, more than 100,000 people are currently waiting for an organ donation.
Experts have long researched how to safely and successfully transplant animal organs into humans, which they say could help solve the organ shortage.
Before Sleiman’s transplant, only two transplants had been performed using organs from pigs—both heart transplants performed with compassionate use.
Both patients died weeks after receiving the hearts.
EGenesis, the biotech company providing the genetically engineered pig kidney, called Sleiman a “true pioneer.”
“We are deeply grateful to Mr. Sleiman and his family and will honor his legacy and invaluable contributions to science and medicine by continuing our efforts to advance xenotransplantation for the millions of patients worldwide in need of life-saving organs,” the company said.
Sleiman’s family also thanked his care team at Massachusetts General.
“After his transplant, Rick said one of the reasons he underwent this procedure was to give hope to the thousands of people who need a transplant to survive,” they said.
“Rick achieved that goal and his hope and optimism will endure forever.
“His legacy will be one that inspires patients, researchers and healthcare professionals everywhere.”
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