"It's A Blessing": US Woman Becomes First Living Recipient of Gene-Edited Pig Kidney

Washington: In a historic medical breakthrough, a 53-year-old woman from Alabama has become the latest recipient of a gene-edited pig kidney and the only living person currently carrying an animal organ transplant. The surgery was conducted at New York's NYU Langone Health and announced on Tuesday.

Towana Looney, who donated one of her kidneys to her mother in 1999, lost her remaining kidney several years later due to complications from pregnancy-related high blood pressure. For eight years, she relied on dialysis, battling frail health and deteriorating blood vessels.

"It's a blessing," Looney shared in a statement, marking the first update since her surgery on November 25. She was discharged earlier this month and is recovering in New York City, with doctors closely monitoring her immune system's response.

A Promising Frontier in Xenotransplantation

The field of xenotransplantation—transferring organs from animals to humans—has gained significant momentum thanks to advancements in gene editing and immune system management. Researchers hope this breakthrough can help solve the organ shortage crisis, with over 100,000 Americans currently on transplant waiting lists, including 90,000 in need of kidneys.

Looney’s surgery is the third instance of a gene-edited pig kidney being transplanted into a living human:

• Rick Slayman (62), the first recipient, passed away in May, two months after his procedure.
• Lisa Pasano, a grandmother, underwent the same transplant but returned to dialysis after 47 days before passing away in July.

A Turning Point for Medical Science

The seven-hour surgery was led by Dr. Robert Montgomery, director of NYU Langone’s Transplant Institute and a pioneer in gene-edited pig-to-human transplants. Montgomery, who performed the world's first such transplant on a deceased patient in 2021, hailed Looney’s case as a milestone.

“Without the generosity and altruism of those who participated in our research up to this point, this next step in xenotransplantation would not have been possible,” Montgomery said. He described the procedure as a "precursor" to potential clinical trials under the FDA’s guidance, aiming to establish whether gene-edited pig organs are a viable, sustainable solution.

Overcoming Immune Rejection

Looney’s case was particularly challenging due to her unusually high levels of harmful antibodies, which made finding a suitable human donor nearly impossible. Despite receiving priority on transplant lists as a former donor, her condition continued to worsen.

Post-surgery, her immune system is being carefully managed to adapt to the new organ. NYU Langone confirmed she may require periodic inpatient treatment to prevent rejection. Looney is expected to remain in New York City for up to three months before returning home.

Hope for the Future

Looney’s success is a beacon of hope for thousands waiting for organ transplants worldwide. With continuous advancements in gene editing and patient selection, experts remain optimistic that xenotransplantation could soon bridge the critical organ supply gap.

Key Highlights:

• Towana Looney is the only living recipient of a gene-edited pig kidney.
• The surgery marks a turning point in addressing the global organ shortage crisis.
• NYU Langone is leading research to refine xenotransplant techniques for future clinical trials.