A 53-year-old Alabama woman has made history by becoming the third person ever to successfully receive a kidney transplant from a gene-edited pig, marking a significant milestone for the field of xenotransplantation. Towana Looney’s operation, which took place on November 25, 2024, at NYU Langone Medical Center, allowed her to escape the confines of dialysis after eight grueling years.
Looney’s medical predicament dates back to 1999 when she donated one of her kidneys to her mother. Unfortunately, complications from later pregnancies led to high blood pressure and, eventually, the failure of her remaining kidney. Since 2016, she had been reliant on dialysis three times weekly, awaiting the elusive compatible human donor. Her situation became even more precarious due to high antibody levels, making her immune system highly likely to reject any human organ.
After years of waiting and increasingly dwindling options, Looney qualified to participate under the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s "compassionate use" directives for experimental treatments. She became the recipient of a genetically modified pig kidney, created by the American regenerative medicine company Revivicor. This organ underwent ten genetic modifications to align more closely with human physiology—an unprecedented achievement. "This is a watershed moment for the future of transplantation," stated Kevin Longino, CEO of the National Kidney Foundation.
The surgical procedure was led by Dr. Robert Montgomery, who expressed optimism about the results stating, "It couldn’t have gone any smoother." Indeed, the transplanted kidney began working almost immediately, producing urine just after the operation. By December 6, only 11 days post-surgery, Looney was discharged from the hospital, far quicker than typical transplant recoveries.
"I feel amazing. I feel like I’ve got a second chance at life," Looney exclaimed after her release. Her newfound vitality was clear as Looney experienced fewer fatigue episodes and could finally urinate on her own, which she hadn’t been able to do for eight years. Now residing temporarily at an apartment near the hospital, she can look forward to spending Christmas with her family, including her adult daughter and grandchildren. "It’s the best Christmas present in the world," she reflected on her new life circumstances.
Looney’s case marks not just personal triumph but signals hope for the broader transplantation community facing severe organ shortages. There are more than 100,000 people currently on the transplant waiting list in the U.S., with over 90,000 of those requiring kidneys. The success of Looney’s transplant could pave the way for future clinical trials and offers potential solutions to this crisis.
Dr. Jayme Locke, who was Looney’s original surgeon at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and helped initiate her path to the gene-edited transplant, remarked, "The kidney functioned basically exactly like a kidney from a living donor." This successful outcome could lead to more patients being eligible for xenotransplantation, providing hope for many facing dire health situations.
Despite the optimistic beginning to her new life, medical professionals remain cautious yet hopeful. Looney’s high antibody levels pose potential risks, but doctors are closely monitoring her recovery with wearables and daily check-ins. "To see hope restored to her and her family is extraordinary," Montgomery elaborated.
The future of xenotransplantation looks promising. Revivicor aims to begin filing applications for clinical trials to introduce gene-edited pig kidneys on a larger scale soon. "Our goal is to have an unlimited supply of organs to help solve the organ shortage crisis," said David Ajarres, president and chief scientific officer at Revivicor.
Looney’s story is just beginning, but it has already captivated the hearts of both the medical community and the public. With her energy returning and plans to resume her part-time cashier job, she embodies the hope generated by this revolutionary surgical technique. "I cannot wait to be able to travel again and spend more quality time with my family and grandchildren," she shared, reflecting on her brighter future.
