She has survived the longest.
An Alabama woman, Towana Looney, has set a new milestone as the longest-surviving recipient of a pig organ transplant. Looney received a genetically modified pig kidney and has now lived with it for over 61 days, continuing to recover well. She describes her experience as life-changing, humorously referring to herself as “superwoman” due to her newfound energy. This development is a significant advancement in xenotransplantation, the practice of transplanting animal organs into humans, which remains experimental.
Dr. Robert Montgomery, the lead surgeon at NYU Langone Health, reported that Looney’s kidney is functioning perfectly. He remains hopeful for her continued progress, and she may soon be able to return to her Alabama home. This breakthrough could help address the severe organ shortage in the U.S., where over 100,000 people are waiting for transplants, most needing kidneys. Looney’s case, like other pig organ transplants, is part of an experimental program approved under special circumstances.
Looney’s experience provides crucial information for the medical community, especially as preparations for formal clinical trials in xenotransplantation are underway. Looney had previously donated a kidney to her mother, but after suffering from high blood pressure complications, she experienced kidney failure. After spending eight years on dialysis, she became a candidate for this experimental procedure due to her high antibody levels, which made it difficult to find a compatible human kidney.
Doctors closely monitored Looney’s recovery, successfully managing an early episode of organ rejection. Her case has offered hope to others in similar situations, and she has used social media to share her journey and inspire those awaiting transplants. Looney’s story highlights the potential of pig organ transplants and emphasizes the importance of ongoing research in this field.
Although the long-term outcome of Looney’s transplant remains uncertain, her progress represents a significant step forward in medicine. Her case is providing invaluable insights, and the success could lead to further advancements in xenotransplantation, potentially helping to resolve the ongoing organ shortage.
