An Alabama woman is recovering well after receiving a pig kidney transplant last month, marking significant progress for experimental organ transplants involving animal organs. Towana Looney, 53, is living dialysis-free for the first time since 2016, thanks to her transplant on November 25, 2023, at NYU Langone Health.
Looney, who previously donated a kidney to her mother, faced overwhelming odds when her remaining kidney failed due to complications from high blood pressure after pregnancy. For eight years, she relied on dialysis as she struggled with the difficulties of finding suitable organ matches. Her situation grew more precarious, as her body developed antibodies making her highly likely to reject any human kidney transplant. Not only did she need help from the medical community, but she also sought options beyond standard transplants, leading her to the field of xenotransplantation—a method of using animal organs for human patients.
The procedure performed by Dr. Robert Montgomery marks the third occasion gene-edited pig kidneys have been successfully transplanted. Following her surgery, Looney reported immediate feelings of improved energy and vitality: "It’s like a new beginning," she expressed, noting her newfound hope and health. According to Dr. Jayme Locke, who originally approached Looney about the experimental procedure after securing FDA permission, watching Looney recover gave her family and close friends immense hope. "To see hope restored to her and her family is extraordinary," Locke said.
Looney spent only 11 days post-surgery at the hospital before being discharged, though she had to return briefly for medication adjustments. Dr. Montgomery and his team remain vigilant, tracking her health closely as she adapts to her new organ. "A lot of what we’re seeing, we’re seeing for the first time," Montgomery noted, emphasizing the unique nature of Looney's situation during this clinical trial phase.
Despite advances, the reality remains—over 100,000 people await organ transplants across the U.S., with most requiring kidneys. Consequently, researchers are racing against time to develop reliable alternatives like the genetically altered pig organs being utilized. Boasting ten gene alterations, the pig kidney provided by Revivicor to Looney aims to function more similarly to human kidneys, paving the way for future transplants.
Looney's remarkable story highlights the newfound potential of xenotransplantation. This scientific domain, having made substantial strides thanks to enhanced gene editing and immune management strategies, has turned what used to seem like mere fantasy closer to reality. Researchers and medical professionals hope it can help resolve the chronic organ shortage crisis. “Without the generosity and altruism of those who participated...this next step would not have been possible,” Dr. Montgomery stated, reflecting on the collaborative approach required for such transformative experiments.
While the past instances of pig organ transplants painted challenges—like previous transplant recipients facing health complications leading to their untimely demise—Looney had fewer underlying health issues. This medical distinction proved promising: unlike her predecessors, she had not developed serious heart disease or other metabolic problems complicate her recovery.
A significant phase of recovery now lies before her as Looney anticipates returning to her home in Gadsden, Alabama, within three months. Though she carries the weight of being the lone living recipient of pig organ transplants, Looney firmly believes this venture will benefit countless others waiting for transplants.
What's next? Planned clinical trials and formal studies are on the horizon, propelling xenotransplantation forward and granting hope to those facing the organ shortage crisis. If successful, these efforts could reshape transplant medicine significantly. Looney remarked, "You don’t know if it’s going to work or not until you try," echoing the sentiment echoed by many involved. With each step taken, pioneers like Looney and her team at NYU are turning xenotransplantation from abstract possibility to practical reality.
