NEW YORK. Towana Looney, a 53-year-old woman from Alabama, has become the longest-living recipient of a pig organ transplant, thriving two months after receiving a genetically engineered pig kidney. Her vibrant recovery marks a significant step forward in the experimental field of xenotransplantation, offering hope for the thousands waiting for organ transplants.
“I’m superwoman,” Looney said, laughing as she described her newfound energy. She told The Associated Press she’s been outpacing family members on walks around New York City during her recovery. “It’s a new take on life.”
Looney’s progress is a morale boost for scientists striving to make animal-to-human transplants a reality. To date, only four other Americans have received gene-edited pig organ transplants—two hearts and two kidneys—but none survived beyond two months.
“If you saw her on the street, you would have no idea that she’s the only person in the world walking around with a pig organ inside them that’s functioning,” said Dr. Robert Montgomery, who led the transplant team at NYU Langone Health.
A Record-Breaking Transplant
Looney’s transplant has been successful so far, with her kidney functioning “absolutely normal,” according to Montgomery. She is expected to return to her Gadsden, Alabama, home in about a month after completing her post-surgery checkups in New York.
“We’re quite optimistic that this is going to continue to work well for a significant period of time,” Montgomery added.
Scientists are genetically modifying pigs to make their organs more compatible with humans, addressing the critical shortage of transplantable human organs. Over 100,000 people in the U.S. are on the organ transplant list, with many requiring kidneys. Thousands die annually while waiting.
Pig organ transplants are currently limited to “compassionate use” cases, permitted by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in extraordinary circumstances. Hospitals are sharing their findings to prepare for the first formal studies of xenotransplantation, which could begin this year.
Learning from Looney’s Journey
Looney’s case provides invaluable insights for researchers. She had developed exceptionally high levels of antibodies that made her body prone to rejecting human kidneys after she donated one of her kidneys to her mother in 1999. When her remaining kidney failed years later, she spent eight years on dialysis before seeking the pig organ experiment.
Discharged just 11 days after the November 25 surgery, Looney has been closely monitored by Montgomery’s team. Early signs of rejection were detected about three weeks post-surgery, but doctors successfully treated the issue using lessons learned from previous research.
Her case is now guiding ongoing research. “How Looney fares is very precious experience,” said Dr. Tatsuo Kawai of Massachusetts General Hospital, who performed the world’s first pig kidney transplant in 2022.
A Personal Mission to Inspire Others
Looney has taken on a role as an advocate, sharing her experience with others struggling with the long wait for organ transplants. Through social media, she has offered support to individuals considering pig organ transplants, encouraging them to make decisions based on their faith and personal convictions.
“I love talking to people, I love helping people,” Looney said. “I want to be, like, some educational piece” to aid scientists in their mission to help others.
Looking Ahead
While it is uncertain how long her new kidney will function, Looney’s case is a pioneering success that may pave the way for more advanced xenotransplantation techniques.
“The truth is we don’t really know what the next hurdles are because this is the first time we’ve gotten this far,” Montgomery said. “We’ll have to continue to really keep a close eye on her.”
Looney’s recovery serves as a beacon of hope for the medical community and the countless lives that could one day benefit from such groundbreaking advancements.
