An Alabama woman who had been on the waiting list for a kidney transplant since 2017 just became the third-ever recipient of a gene-edited pig kidney. Fifty-three-year-old Towana Looney had previously donated a kidney to her own mother, but when her one remaining kidney began to fail, the long wait for a donor organ began. Looney’s situation was complicated by unique medical factors. She was judged likely to experience organ rejection due to high levels of harmful antibodies in her blood, making it nearly impossible to find a suitable human kidney match.
For the almost eight years she remained on the waiting list, she had to undergo lifesaving dialysis treatment, which becomes increasingly difficult over time as the blood vessels needed for access become damaged. It's because of these circumstances Looney eventually qualified to receive a gene-edited pig kidney under the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) expanded access program.
The first living recipient of a genetically modified pig kidney was Richard “Rick” Slayman, 62, back in March 2024 at Massachusetts General Hospital. While the surgery initially seemed successful, he passed away suddenly in May. Experts clarified there was no indication of his death related to the procedure. Following him, Lisa Pisano from New Jersey received the second gene-edited transplant but sadly passed away within three months due to complications unrelated to the pig organ.
Looney’s case stood out because finding her suitable human donor organ was nearly impossible. Surgeons at NYU Langone Health were permitted to attempt xenotransplantation. Her kidney involved 10 specific gene edits aimed at ensuring compatibility, and she's currently recovering well, having been discharged just 11 days after her seven-hour operation.
“It’s a blessing,” she said, reflecting on her newfound hope. “I feel like I’ve been assigned another chance at life. I cannot wait to be able to travel again and spend more quality time with my family and grandchildren.” The difficulties of her kidney issues began after she developed pre-eclampsia during pregnancy, and chronic kidney conditions led her to start dialysis back in 2016.
Looney’s past as a living organ donor granted her higher priority on the transplant list, yet as Dr. Robert Montgomery, her lead surgeon highlighted, the odds of finding the perfect human match would have been “one-in-a-million” due to her immune condition. Looney's case, and the unfortunate deaths of others on the transplant waiting list, brings to light the pressing need for viable organ alternatives.
Xenotransplantation is considered experimental, and Looney's medical team will monitor her closely. With the rise of CRISPR technology, modifying genes to improve compatibility of animal organs with humans has become promising. “Towana is an inspiration,” said Dr. Jayme Locke, co-lead surgeon. “Being part of her care team was wonderful, and the thought we may now have solutions to the organ shortage crisis invokes pure joy!”
Looney's experience serves as part of the larger conversation on the urgent need for organ donations. Over 100,000 patients await transplants across the United States, and the number of annual deaths among those awaiting organ matches reaches tragic levels. The arrival of gene-edited organs presents fresh hope for these individuals.
Post-surgery, Looney remains under medical supervision, wearing devices to monitor her health, and she excitedly prepares for trips she long absented herself from due to dialysis. The new kidney has begun functioning well, producing urine almost immediately after the procedure. Her fervent optimism reflects her determination to make the most of her newfound circumstances.
“This is new territory,” Dr. Locke shared about the operation's significance. Looney's response encapsulated the spirit of resilience: “You don’t know if it’s going to work or not until you try.”
The transplant is more than just a medical achievement; it symbolizes hope for many who are still battling the long wait for viable organ donations. Each success story, like Looney's, sets the stage for potential paradigms shift within modern transplantation practices.
Looney continues to embody the courage and optimism necessary for innovation. Should her kidney function prove enduring, her story could advance xenotransplantation research significantly, rewarding both scientific inquiry and the will to survive.
