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NEW YORK (December 18, 2024) – A groundbreaking medical milestone has been achieved as an Alabama woman, Towana Looney, becomes the first living person in the world to receive a genetically edited pig kidney transplant. This historic procedure offers Looney a new lease on life after years of struggling with kidney disease, dialysis, and limited transplant options.
Looney, 53, had donated one of her kidneys to her mother back in 1999, but complications from pregnancy years later led to the failure of her remaining kidney. She has been on dialysis since 2016, enduring the exhausting process for over eight years. Her situation grew increasingly dire, as she faced a rare challenge of high antibody levels that complicated her chances of receiving a compatible human kidney.
With no other viable options, Looney applied for a clinical trial for xenotransplantation—transplanting organs from one species to another. In late November, she underwent a seven-hour procedure at New York’s NYU Langone hospital, receiving a genetically modified pig kidney.
“I’m overjoyed, I’m blessed to have received this gift, this second chance at life,” Looney said, her voice full of emotion during a press conference three weeks after the procedure. “I’m full of energy, I’ve got an appetite… and of course, I can go to the bathroom. I haven’t been going in eight years!” Looney added, laughing with visible relief and joy.
Her recovery has been nothing short of miraculous. Dr. Jayme Locke, a surgeon involved in the transplant, praised the results. “The kidney functioned essentially like a kidney from a living donor,” Locke said. Looney’s husband even noticed a healthy glow in her cheeks for the first time in years. “That is the miracle of transplantation,” Locke added.
While Looney’s success is an encouraging sign, the road to this point has been paved with challenges. Xenotransplantation has long been a dream of the medical community, but previous attempts in primates and humans have often failed. However, recent breakthroughs in gene editing and immune system management have brought the science closer to reality. Pigs have been identified as the most promising candidates for organ donation due to their rapid growth and biological similarities to humans.
Looney’s transplant was made possible by Revivicor, a biotech company specializing in genetically modified pigs. The kidney was edited with 10 genetic modifications to increase its compatibility with the human body. This is a significant improvement over earlier attempts, which involved fewer edits. These advancements hold promise for addressing the severe organ shortage in the United States, where more than 100,000 people are waiting for life-saving transplants, many of them needing kidneys.
Her surgery marks the third attempt of its kind. Previous recipients, including Rick Slayman and Lisa Pisano, faced complications, with Slayman passing away two months after receiving his transplant and Pisano’s organ being removed after 47 days. However, Looney’s relatively healthy state prior to surgery and the advances in genetic editing have given her a promising start.
Dr. Robert Montgomery, who led the surgery, is optimistic about the future of xenotransplantation. He emphasized that each case provides valuable data for refining the process, potentially leading to more widespread clinical trials in the coming year. “This is a watershed moment for the future of transplantation,” said Kevin Longino, CEO of the National Kidney Foundation.
Looney was discharged from the hospital on December 6 and is now recovering in a nearby apartment. While her antibody levels remain a concern, doctors are closely monitoring her progress using wearable technology and a novel drug regimen designed to prevent organ rejection. Her team is hopeful that she will be able to return home in three months.
As Looney embraces her new life, she plans to celebrate by visiting Disney World. Her journey is a testament to the potential of scientific innovation to transform lives, offering hope to the millions awaiting organ transplants.
