"Worsened Condition After Several Days"... Second 'Dwaeji Heart' Transplanted into Human Stops Working

Signs of Heart Rejection Observed in Recent Days
6000 Deaths Annually in the US Due to Organ Shortage

A U.S. research team succeeded in transplanting a genetically modified pig heart into a living patient for the second time in history, but this patient also died in less than two months, just like the first patient.

On the 31st (local time), the University of Maryland School of Medicine research team announced that Lawrence Faucett (58), a terminal heart disease patient who received the genetically modified pig heart transplant, passed away on the 30th, about six weeks after the surgery.

The research team used gene editing to cut three pig genes that cause severe immune rejection in humans and inserted six human genes into the heart. They also blocked the growth gene function to prevent the transplanted heart from enlarging.

After the surgery, Faucett practiced walking during physical therapy and showed significant progress, such as playing card games with his wife. However, the research team reported that signs of rejection in the heart began to appear in recent days.

Patient Lawrence Fossett who died 6 weeks after receiving a pig heart transplant [Photo by Maryland School of Medicine, AP, Yonhap News]

The research team explained that such rejection is "the biggest problem even in traditional transplant surgeries involving human organs." Although they transplanted a pig heart genetically modified to avoid triggering the human immune system's rejection response, the second patient also died, failing to set a successful record.

Faucett, a Navy veteran, had given up all other treatment options due to complications and underwent the pig heart transplant surgery last month. Before the surgery, he said, "At least I have hope and a chance," and "I will fight with all my strength."

His wife, Ann Faucett, stated in a release through the university, "My husband started this journey with an open mind, fully trusting the research team," and "Our family expresses gratitude to the research team and staff who cared for him and looks forward to advancements and success in the field of xenotransplantation."

Patient Lawrence Fossett who died 6 weeks after receiving a pig heart transplant [Photo by Maryland School of Medicine, AP, Yonhap News]

Dr. Bartley Griffith, who performed the surgery, said, "Faucett's last wish was to ensure that others who cannot use organs have the opportunity to receive a new heart by making the most of what we learned from our experience," and "We will miss him."

The University of Maryland School of Medicine said, "Faucett was not only someone who read and interpreted his own biopsies but also a scientist who made an important contribution to advancing the field of xenotransplantation."

Previously, the University of Maryland research team attempted the first pig heart transplant into a human in January last year. The 57-year-old man who received the pig heart died after two months. An autopsy revealed pig virus DNA that causes pneumonia and other diseases was found in his body. However, no severe rejection was confirmed in this patient.

Meanwhile, in the United States, more than 110,000 people are on the waiting list for organ transplants. However, due to organ shortages, about 6,000 people die each year without receiving surgery.

South Korea is no different from the United States. According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare, as of 2022, the number of organ transplant waiters in South Korea reached about 41,700, and the number of transplant surgeries has been decreasing every year.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.