A second patient was transplanted with a genetically modified pig heart
Scientists from the University of Maryland have reported the second case of transplantation of a genetically modified pig heart into a patient with terminal heart failure. Ten genes were edited in the transplanted heart to prevent graft rejection, heart tissue overgrowth and improve engraftment.A 58-year-old man, Lawrence Fawcett, with terminal heart failure became the second patient to have a successful transplant of a genetically modified pig heart, researchers at the University of Maryland Medical Center said. The surgery took place on September 20.
The patient was denied a donor heart transplant due to a previously diagnosed peripheral vascular disease and previous internal bleeding. Xenotransplantation was the only available treatment in this case.
After surgical intervention, the researchers verified that the transplanted genetically modified heart functioned properly. No signs of superacute immune rejection were detected. Doctors emphasized that the patient will be closely monitored over the next few weeks to make sure that he does not show signs of graft rejection and porcine transmission, although preliminary tests did not reveal any viruses, bacteria or parasites in the recipient.
In the transplanted heart, three genes responsible for human rejection of pig organs were turned off and six genes responsible for graft engraftment were inserted. In addition, a gene to prevent overgrowth of pig heart tissue was turned off. A total of 10 genes were edited.
Scientists noted that about 110 thousand Americans are waiting for organ transplantation and more than 6 thousand patients die every year without waiting for it. Xenotransplantation could save the lives of thousands of people. However, in addition to the danger of transmitting unknown pathogens from animals to humans, xenotransplantation more often causes an immune response that can lead to immediate organ rejection and probable death of the patient.
As "MV" previously wrote, the first genetically modified pig heart was transplanted in early 2022 to David Bennett, who was admitted to the University of Maryland Medical Center due to a life-threatening arrhythmia. The man passed away two months after the transplant. Death was due to extensive interstitial cardiac edema and myocyte necrosis. The exact cause of death has not been determined.