Second Patient Receives Genetically Altered Pig Heart in Landmark Transplant
A 58-year-old man, Lawrence Faucette, has become the second human patient to receive a genetically altered pig heart in a groundbreaking transplant procedure at the University of Maryland Medical Center. The same medical team that performed the first pig transplant in January 2022 carried out the procedure.
Lawrence Faucette had been battling end-stage heart disease but was ineligible for a human heart transplant due to preexisting peripheral vascular disease and complications with internal bleeding. This experimental xenotransplant, using a genetically altered pig heart, offered him a chance at a longer life.
Dr. Bartley Griffith, the surgeon who performed both pig transplants, expressed gratitude to Mr. Faucette for his bravery and willingness to participate in advancing the field of xenotransplantation. The medical team is hopeful that Faucette will be able to enjoy more time with his family.
The transplant was made possible through the FDA’s single patient investigational new drug (IND) compassionate use pathway, which allows for the use of experimental products in individuals with life-threatening conditions. Faucette’s case could provide crucial data for future clinical trials.
The pig heart used in the transplant was genetically modified through the removal of three genes that may cause rejection of pig organs in humans and the insertion of six human genes responsible for immune acceptance. This procedure, coupled with the administration of conventional anti-rejection drugs and a novel antibody therapy called tegoprubart, aims to increase the chances of success.
Xenotransplantation, or the transplantation of animal organs into humans, has long been a point of research and debate. Concerns about disease transmission and immune response have prompted extensive research and improvements in surgical techniques.
The previous patient to receive a pig heart, David Bennett, died from heart failure. However, his poor health prior to the surgery likely contributed to his outcome. The transplant team spent five years perfecting the surgical technique on non-human primates before proceeding with human transplants.
Dr. Muhammad Mohiuddin, a professor of surgery at the University of Maryland, expressed optimism about the progress made so far in the field of xenotransplantation and the potential benefits it could bring to patients in need.
Approximately 110,000 Americans are currently on the waiting list for an organ transplant, and more than 6,000 individuals die each year while waiting for a suitable organ. The availability of genetically altered pig organs could help address this critical shortage and save lives.
The success of Lawrence Faucette’s transplant and the continuation of research in the field of xenotransplantation provide hope for patients with end-stage organ disease who have limited treatment options. As the medical community continues to explore this groundbreaking approach, many are optimistic about the future of pig-to-human organ transplants.
