Alabama woman living her best life after becoming the longest-living recipient of pig organ transplant

An Alabama woman Towana Looney has achieved a groundbreaking milestone by becoming the longest-living recipient of a pig organ transplant. The 53-year-old woman has lived for 61 days and counting with a gene-edited pig kidney, showing remarkable recovery and vitality.

“I’m superwoman,” Looney told the local outlet, laughing about how she outpaces family members during long walks in New York City, where she’s temporarily staying for post-transplant care. “It’s a new take on life.”

Her recovery marks significant progress in the field of xenotransplantation, the experimental process of transplanting animal organs into humans. Looney is one of only five Americans to have undergone such procedures, and none of the previous recipients survived beyond two months.

Dr. Robert Montgomery, who led the transplant team at NYU Langone Health, described Looney’s kidney function as “absolutely normal.” He expressed optimism about her prognosis, stating, “We’re quite optimistic that this is going to continue to work and work well for a significant period of time.”

The procedure aims to address the critical shortage of transplantable human organs. Over 100,000 people in the U.S. are on transplant waiting lists, most needing kidneys, and thousands die annually while waiting. Gene-edited pigs are being developed to provide organs that are more compatible with the human body.

Looney’s transplant was performed under the FDA’s “compassionate use” exception, which allows experimental treatments for patients with no other options. Her case is providing valuable insights for future xenotransplantation studies, with the first formal trials expected to begin this year.

Looney’s journey to this experimental procedure began after complications from a previous pregnancy caused high blood pressure, damaging her remaining kidney. After eight years on dialysis, doctors determined she would likely never receive a human kidney due to her highly sensitized immune system, which was primed to attack foreign organs.

The transplant team closely monitored Looney after the surgery. Three weeks post-operation, they detected early signs of rejection, which were successfully treated. Her progress has been closely tied to lessons learned from a 2023 experiment where a pig kidney functioned for 61 days in a deceased body donated for research.

Looney has since become an advocate for xenotransplantation, sharing her experience on social media and supporting others waiting for transplants. Her positive outlook and willingness to educate others reflect her hope to inspire both patients and researchers.

While the long-term success of her transplant remains uncertain, Looney continues to defy expectations, paving the way for future advancements in the field.

Room For Improvement

The successful transplantation of a gene-edited pig kidney into Towana Looney represents a stunning achievement in the field of xenotransplantation, marking an extraordinary milestone in medical history.

This accomplishment is a testament to the tireless dedication and innovation of Dr. Robert Montgomery and his team at NYU Langone Health, whose work has provided new hope to thousands of patients awaiting life-saving organ transplants.

Looney’s vibrant recovery, as she celebrates 61 days with her new kidney, showcases not only the remarkable progress of modern medicine but also her personal courage and resilience in embracing this experimental procedure.

This case stressed the immense potential of xenotransplantation to address the severe shortage of human organs. With more than 100,000 individuals on transplant waiting lists in the U.S. alone, and thousands dying annually due to unavailability, gene-edited pig organs offer a promising solution to this critical challenge.

Looney’s recovery, including her body’s ability to overcome initial signs of organ rejection, reflects the efficacy of current advancements in gene-editing technology and immune-suppressing treatments.

While this success is monumental, there remain opportunities for further progress. First, comprehensive clinical trials are essential to better understand long-term outcomes, the likelihood of rejection over time, and the optimal management of immune responses.

Establishing formalized, large-scale studies will allow researchers to identify variables that influence the success rate of such transplants and refine the procedures for broader applications.

Also, the ethical and regulatory frameworks surrounding xenotransplantation should be continually updated. As public interest grows, it is crucial to maintain transparency regarding the risks, benefits and limitations of these procedures.

Equally important is ensuring equitable access to such life-saving technologies, particularly for marginalized communities who may face systemic barriers to advanced medical care.

More so, interdisciplinary collaboration is vital. Sharing data and findings among research institutions and pig organ developers like United Therapeutics and eGenesis will accelerate progress, foster innovation and prevent redundant efforts. Similarly, raising public awareness about xenotransplantation and its potential to save lives can help garner support for continued research and funding.

More importantly, patients like Looney, who serve as ambassadors for this technology, play a vital role in educating and inspiring others. Their stories remind us that medical breakthroughs are not just about science—they are about people, hope, and the boundless possibilities of human ingenuity.