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Alabama Woman’s Pig Kidney Transplant Ends After Record Duration
WASHINGTON – In a notable development in the field of xenotransplantation, doctors have reported that the pig kidney transplant recipient, an Alabama woman, has had the organ removed after a record 130 days of function. Towana Looney received the experimental transplant as part of ongoing research into using animal organs to address the critical shortage of human organs for transplantation. Despite the setback, medical professionals are emphasizing the valuable insights gained from this pioneering case for future kidney disease treatments.
Record Xenotransplant Duration Provides Key Insights
Towana Looney, who achieved a record 130 days with a genetically modified pig kidney, underwent a removal surgery on April 4 at NYU Langone Health. Doctors decided to remove the organ when her body began to show signs of rejection. She is now recovering well from the procedure and has returned to her home in Gadsden, Alabama, resuming dialysis treatment.
Patient Expresses Gratitude and Hope
In a released statement, Looney conveyed her appreciation to the medical team, acknowledging “the opportunity to be part of this incredible research.” She added, “Though the outcome is not what anyone wanted, I know a lot was learned from my 130 days with a pig kidney – and that this can help and inspire many others in their journey to overcoming kidney disease.”
Addressing the Critical Organ Shortage with Xenotransplantation
Scientists are actively involved in genetically modifying pigs to make their organs more compatible with the human body. This research is driven by the severe scarcity of human organs available for transplant. In the United States alone, over 100,000 individuals are currently on transplant waiting lists, with the majority needing a kidney transplant. Tragically, thousands of patients die each year while waiting for a suitable organ.
Previous Xenotransplant Attempts and Current Progress
Prior to Ms. Looney’s case, only four other patients in the U.S. had undergone experimental xenotransplants involving gene-edited pig organs. These included two heart transplants and two kidney transplants, none of which lasted longer than two months. All recipients in these earlier trials were critically ill before their surgeries and unfortunately did not survive.
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Current research is focusing on conducting xenotransplants on patients who are less critically ill, such as Looney. Notably, a man in New Hampshire who received a pig kidney in January is reportedly doing well. Furthermore, a comprehensive study on pig kidney transplants is scheduled to commence this summer. Recently, researchers in China also announced a successful kidney xenotransplant.
Looney’s Journey and the Rejection Factor
Looney had been receiving dialysis since 2016 and was deemed ineligible for a traditional human kidney transplant due to her body’s heightened risk of organ rejection. She opted for a pig kidney transplant, which initially functioned effectively. She described herself as “superwoman” during this period, surviving longer with a gene-edited pig organ than any previous recipient, from the November 25 transplant until early April when rejection began.
Investigating the Cause of Rejection
Dr. Robert Montgomery, the NYU xenotransplant pioneer and Looney’s surgeon, stated that the specific trigger for the rejection is currently under investigation. Dr. Montgomery told the Associated Press that the decision to remove the pig kidney was a collaborative one between Looney and her medical team. They determined that removing the organ posed a lower risk compared to increasing the dosage of anti-rejection medications, which could have carried additional complications.
Weighing Risks and Benefits of Xenotransplantation
“We did the safe thing,” Dr. Montgomery affirmed. “She’s no worse off than she was before [the xenotransplant] and she would tell you she’s better off because she had this 4½ month break from dialysis.”
Dr. Montgomery indicated that shortly before the rejection episode, Looney had experienced an infection linked to her prior dialysis treatment. Consequently, her immunosuppressant medication dosage was slightly reduced. Simultaneously, her immune system showed signs of reactivation post-transplant. According to Dr. Montgomery, these factors may have collectively contributed to the damage of the transplanted kidney.
Challenges in Immunosuppression and Future Research
Organ rejection remains a significant complication in human organ transplantation. Medical professionals must carefully balance suppressing the patient’s immune system to prevent rejection while ensuring the patient can still effectively fight off infections.
Xenotransplantation presents even greater challenges in managing rejection. While genetic modifications in pigs aim to minimize immediate rejection, recipients still require immunosuppressive drugs. Dr. Tatsuo Kawai of Massachusetts General Hospital, another xenotransplant expert, highlighted the uncertainty surrounding the optimal immunosuppressant regimens for preventing later stages of rejection. Different research groups are exploring various drug combinations.
Dr. Kawai emphasized that “When we have more experience, we’ll know what kind of immunosuppression is really necessary for xenotransplant.”
Valuable Lessons for Future Clinical Trials
Dr. Montgomery emphasized that Looney’s experience provides crucial learning opportunities for the upcoming clinical trials in xenotransplantation.
He concluded, “Making xenotransplant ultimately work “is going to be won with singles and doubles, not swinging for the fence every time we do one of these,” suggesting a gradual and iterative approach to advancing the field.