Towana Looney becomes a beacon of hope in the quest for xenotransplantation as she surpasses the previous record for survival with a pig kidney transplant.
Towana Looney , a 53-year-old woman, has achieved a remarkable milestone by becoming the longest-living recipient of a pig organ transplant . Looney received a genetically modified pig kidney on November 25th, and 61 days later, she continues to thrive, enjoying long walks and embracing a renewed zest for life. Her successful recovery provides a much-needed boost to the ongoing quest to make animal-to-human transplants a viable reality.
Looney's case is particularly significant because she is highly sensitized, meaning her body had a strong tendency to reject foreign organs. This made her a risky candidate for a traditional human organ transplant, but the pig kidney has been functioning perfectly, with no signs of rejection. Dr. Robert Montgomery of NYU Langone Health, who led Looney's transplant, describes her kidney function as 'absolutely normal.'Looney's journey began with a desperate search for a solution to her failing kidney. She had donated a kidney to her mother in 1999, but later pregnancy complications led to high blood pressure that damaged her remaining kidney. Despite spending eight years on dialysis, Looney was told she was unlikely to receive a donated organ due to her high antibody levels. However, she learned about the experimental pig organ transplant program and decided to participate. Doctors were unsure how her body would react to a pig organ, but Looney's recovery has exceeded all expectations. She was discharged just 11 days after surgery and has been closely monitored by Dr. Montgomery's team. They detected subtle signs of rejection about three weeks after the transplant, but were able to successfully treat it, preventing further complications.Looney's success is paving the way for future xenotransplantation trials. Scientists are continuously working to improve the process of genetically modifying pigs to ensure their organs are compatible with humans. The hope is that this technology can address the critical shortage of transplantable human organs, saving countless lives. United Therapeutics, the company that provided Looney's kidney, has recently requested permission from the Food and Drug Administration to begin a formal clinical trial. Dr. Tatsuo Kawai of Massachusetts General Hospital, who led the world's first pig kidney transplant last year, believes that Looney's case is invaluable for informing future attempts. She is considered a pioneer in this field, inspiring others and shedding light on the potential of xenotransplantation
Xenotransplantation Pig Organ Transplant Medical Breakthrough Looney Dr. Montgomery Dr. Kawai Organ Shortage United Therapeutics
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