April 14, 2025
Looney’s relative success might result in extra procedures for various organ transplants.
An Alabama girl is again on dialysis after receiving a groundbreaking pig kidney transplant that her physique later rejected.
When Towana Looney accomplished her surgical procedure in November, it was thought-about a groundbreaking medical feat for various organ transplants. The process befell on the NYU Langone Well being Middle in New York, the place Dr. Robert Montgomery surgically positioned the genetically modified kidney inside Looney.
Looney lived with the organ inside her for months till her physique started rejecting the half. Nonetheless, medical doctors assured the problem didn’t come from the organ’s origins. As a substitute, Looney needed to scale back her consumption of anti-rejection remedy after getting an an infection.
According to NPR, medical doctors nonetheless think about her time with the organ a hit. Dr. Montgomery additionally thanked Looney for her bravery and contribution to medical developments.
“Towana Looney’s genetically engineered pig kidney functioned properly for over 4 months, and he or she was capable of get pleasure from life with out dialysis for the primary time in 9 years,” defined Dr. Montgomery in a press release.
He added, “Towana’s willingness to endeavor into the unknown to assist clear up the nation’s organ scarcity disaster will influence many extra lives after her. We rejoice her large braveness and sacrifice. She lived with a pig kidney longer than another human in historical past, and the sphere has realized an excellent deal from her. Her contribution has furthered the hope and promise of genetically engineered pig organs as a substitute supply to human organs.”
Whereas Looney was capable of skip dialysis and regain a few of her time again, she additionally now boasts the world’s longest-lasting pig organ transplant. She additionally expressed gratitude for participating in medical historical past.
“For the primary time since 2016, I loved time with family and friends with out planning round dialysis therapies. Although the result just isn’t what anybody wished, I do know lots was realized from my 130 days with a pig kidney—and that this may help and encourage many others of their journey to beat kidney illness,” she added.
Looney’s relative success will pave the best way for future and present pig organ receivers. Given the shortage of organ donations obtainable throughout the US, with over 100,000 sufferers presently sitting on ready lists, the implementation of other strategies might lead to extra lives saved. The world’s first-ever recipient of a pig kidney transplant, Richard Slayman, died final Could, two months after his surgical procedure.
Whereas questions stay on the security and bioethical issues relating to pig organ transplants, Looney’s journey proves the potential of those procedures for future trial surgical procedures.