Meet the World’s First Person to Thrive with a Functional Pig Organ: A Remarkable 2-Month Journey

Towana Looney from Alabama has made history! She is now the longest-living recipient of a pig kidney transplant, thriving for 61 days and feeling great.

“I’m superwoman,” she joked, happily keeping up with her family on walks in New York City as she recovers. This new chapter in her life gives her a fresh perspective.

Her recovery is a big win for the future of animal organ transplants. So far, only four Americans have undergone similar procedures with genetically modified pig organs, but none lasted beyond two months.

Dr. Robert Montgomery, who performed the surgery, said, “If you saw her on the street, you wouldn’t know she has a pig organ inside her.” He also noted that her kidney function is completely normal. Towana hopes to return home to Gadsden, Alabama, in about a month.

With over 100,000 people waiting for transplants in the U.S., most needing kidneys, there’s a crucial need for alternatives. Scientists are altering pig organs to make them more compatible for humans. This effort aims to address the dire shortage of human organs available for transplant.

The pig organ transplants have been classified as “compassionate use,” meaning they are only done in special situations where other transplant options have failed. Hospitals involved are sharing their findings to prepare for more extensive studies on xenotransplantation, which could start this year.

Dr. Tatsuo Kawai, who led the first pig kidney transplant last year, highlighted the importance of learning from each case. Looney’s health before the transplant gave researchers a unique opportunity to understand how pig organs might perform in patients with complex medical backgrounds.

Towana’s medical journey began when she donated a kidney to her mother in 1999. Unfortunately, complications from a later pregnancy led to high blood pressure and damaged her remaining kidney. After eight years on dialysis, doctors thought her body might reject another human kidney due to elevated antibody levels. This pushed her to seek the pig transplant option.

The recovery process has been closely monitored. After a week and a half in the hospital following her surgery, her team noticed potential signs of rejection. However, thanks to prior research, they were able to address the issue quickly, and since that time, there have been no rejection signs. Recently, she met the family of a donor whose research contributed to her treatment, which helped her feel connected to their experience.

Now, Towana aims to raise awareness about pig organ transplants. She is engaging with others online who face long waits for organ transplants, providing support as they consider their options. One individual expressed anxiety about whether to pursue a similar path, and she encouraged him to reflect on his beliefs and feelings.

Towana enjoys sharing her story and knowledge with others, hoping her experience can help improve future treatments. While it’s impossible to predict how long her kidney will last, she remains optimistic. If necessary, she could return to dialysis.

As researchers, including Dr. Montgomery, continue to follow her progress, they realize they are venturing into uncharted territory. “We’re keeping a close eye on her,” he said, reflecting on the significance of her case for medical science.