Towana Looney, a 53-year-old woman from Alabama, has become the first living recipient of a gene-edited pig kidney transplant, marking a significant breakthrough in xenotransplantation. Looney, who had suffered from chronic kidney disease since 2016 due to pregnancy complications, had previously donated a kidney to her mother in 1999. However, after her remaining kidney failed, she endured eight long years of dialysis while struggling to find a compatible donor.
Looney's life took a dramatic turn on November 25, when she underwent a seven-hour surgery at NYU Langone Hospital. Following the procedure, she expressed her joy, saying, "I'm overjoyed, I'm blessed to have received this gift, this second chance at life." Her recovery has been remarkable, with Looney reporting increased energy and a renewed appetite, even joking about being able to use the bathroom for the first time in eight years.
The transplant is part of an ongoing clinical trial to explore the possibility of using genetically modified pig organs to address the shortage of human transplant organs. The pig kidney used in Looney's transplant had 10 genetic edits to improve its compatibility with the human body, an advancement over previous attempts that had fewer modifications. Looney’s successful surgery is the third gene-edited pig kidney transplant performed on a human, with earlier attempts facing complications, but Looney's case is being hailed as a hopeful milestone in the field.
Doctors are closely monitoring Looney's recovery, using wearable technology and a new drug regimen to prevent organ rejection. Despite potential future challenges, including her high antibody levels, the medical team remains optimistic about her long-term prospects.
This breakthrough brings the potential for xenotransplantation closer to reality, offering hope to the more than 100,000 people in the US waiting for organ transplants, especially the 90,000 in need of kidneys.