A groundbreaking pig kidney transplant in Alabama has brought new hope to a 53-year-old woman who spent eight years on dialysis. Towana Looney, a gene-edited recipient, is recovering well after the experimental procedure, which freed her from life-threatening complications.
According to Dr. Robert Montgomery of NYU Langone Health, Looney’s surgery marks an important step towards xenotransplantation, a highly experimental procedure aimed at saving human lives with animal organs. The transplant was led by Dr. Jayme Locke and involved a genetically altered pig kidney provided by Revivicor, a Virginia-based company.
Looney’s story is one of hope after eight years of dialysis. She had developed antibodies that made her ineligible for traditional transplants. After being rejected by multiple donors, Looney turned to pig kidney research at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where Dr. Locke secured an FDA permit for the experimental procedure.
The transplant was initially met with skepticism, but Looney’s optimism has been a beacon of hope. “It’s like a new beginning,” she said. The pig kidney, which was inserted into her body just weeks ago, is already showing promising results.
While there are risks associated with this type of transplant, doctors say that the benefits could be life-changing for thousands of people on the U.S. transplant list. With over 100,000 patients waiting for a kidney, the search for an alternate supply has led to breakthroughs in genetic engineering and xenotransplantation.
Looney’s journey is set to continue as she recovers at home. Doctors expect her to return to normal life within three months, although complications are possible if the pig kidney fails.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/pig-kidney-transplant-xenotransplant-revivicor-844b33450a9c228d1138827c1de8549d