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Promising Procedure at University of Maryland Faces Setback as Patient Passes Away
Lawrence Faucette, a 58-year-old patient with terminal heart disease, underwent a groundbreaking genetically engineered pig heart transplant at the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore. Tragically, Mr. Faucette passed away on October 30, just six weeks after the surgery, despite the institution’s meticulous precautions.
Faucette’s journey began when he arrived at the University of Maryland Medical Center on September 14, suffering from end-stage heart failure. His deteriorating condition rendered him ineligible for a traditional human heart transplant. In an effort to extend his life, the US Food and Drug Administration granted an emergency authorization for him to receive a genetically engineered pig heart. This pioneering procedure was Mr. Faucette’s only viable option, and he consented to it after a thorough understanding of the associated risks.
In the initial weeks following the transplant, Lawrence Faucette displayed promising progress. He was actively engaging in physical therapy, spending quality time with his family, and even playing cards with his wife. However, in the days leading up to his unfortunate demise, signs of organ rejection emerged as his immune system identified the pig heart as foreign and launched an attack. Organ rejection is a formidable challenge faced in both traditional human organ transplants and xenotransplantation.
Xenotransplantation, which explores the transplantation of animal organs into humans, has been the subject of extensive research at the University of Maryland Medical Center and other medical institutions. The goal is to alleviate the severe shortage of human donor organs, as over 103,000 people in the United States await transplants, with 17 individuals losing their lives daily while on the transplant waiting list.
BREAKING: Lawrence Faucette, the second person to receive a genetically engineered pig heart transplant, passed away after six weeks. https://t.co/tP2CJwJrF1
— WIRED (@WIRED) October 31, 2023
The donor pigs used in both Lawrence Faucette and David Bennett’s transplants underwent genetic modifications to enhance compatibility with the human body. Ten genetic edits were implemented, including the elimination of three genes associated with immune rejection, the addition of six human genes linked to immune acceptance, and the removal of a gene to prevent excessive pig heart tissue growth.
David Bennett was the first person to receive a genetically engineered pig heart, surviving for two months after the pioneering procedure in January 2022. Tragically, he succumbed to sudden heart failure. The medical team at the University of Maryland Medical Center believed Bennett’s preexisting health condition and the presence of a pig virus in his transplanted heart might have contributed to his unfortunate outcome.
The medical community remains committed to enhancing the prospects of xenotransplantation. Despite the challenges encountered, medical experts are determined to analyze Mr. Faucette’s case comprehensively to identify factors that can be addressed in future transplants.
Researchers at New York University and the University of Alabama at Birmingham are also exploring genetically engineered pig organ transplants in short-term experiments, with aspirations to launch trials in living patients. While setbacks like Mr. Faucette’s passing are undoubtedly difficult, they underscore the ongoing journey of science in the pursuit of innovative medical solutions.
