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Pig Kidney Transplant Recipient Experiences Organ Rejection After 130 Days
In a recent development in the field of xenotransplantation, surgeons at NYU Langone Health have explanted a genetically engineered pig kidney from an Alabama woman after she suffered acute organ rejection. The recipient, Towana Looney, 53, had lived with the porcine kidney for a record 130 days, marking the longest period a human has tolerated a transplanted organ from a genetically modified animal. Hospital officials confirmed that Ms. Looney has since resumed dialysis treatment following the procedure.
Record Duration for Xenotransplant
According to Dr. Robert Montgomery, Ms. Looney’s surgeon and the head of the NYU Langone Transplant Institute, the kidney explant is not considered a setback for xenotransplantation, which is focused on utilizing animal organs to replace failing human organs.
“This represents the longest duration these organs have functioned in a human recipient,” Dr. Montgomery stated in an interview. He also noted that Ms. Looney’s pre-existing medical conditions might have contributed to complexities in her prognosis.
Incremental Progress in Animal-to-Human Transplants
Dr. Montgomery emphasized the need for patience in advancing xenotransplantation, stating, “Progress in this field will be achieved through steady, incremental improvements, rather than seeking immediate, dramatic breakthroughs.”
Patient Safety Prioritized
While further interventions might have been attempted to salvage the transplanted kidney, Dr. Montgomery explained that Ms. Looney and her medical team opted against this course of action.
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“Our foremost concern is safety – ensuring Ms. Looney’s well-being was paramount,” he stated.
Ongoing Xenotransplant Trials
Meanwhile, in a separate case, Tim Andrews from Concord, N.H., continues to live with a genetically modified pig kidney, received on January 25th. Doctors at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston have reported that Mr. Andrews has been hospitalized twice for biopsy procedures.
It is important to note that previous attempts at similar kidney xenotransplants have resulted in patient deaths, as have trials involving pig heart transplants.
Patient Grateful for Groundbreaking Procedure
Ms. Looney, having returned to her Alabama home after receiving treatment in New York, expressed her gratitude for participating in the pioneering procedure in a released statement. She was unavailable for direct comment.
Improved Quality of Life During Transplant Period
“For the first time since 2016, I was able to relish time with my friends and family without the constant burden of planning around dialysis treatments,” Ms. Looney conveyed in a statement provided by NYU Langone.
“Despite the outcome not being ideal, I am aware of the significant knowledge gained from my 130 days with a pig kidney. This experience can offer hope and motivation to others facing kidney disease as they navigate their own journeys,” she added.
Rejection Cause Under Investigation
Hospital officials indicated that Ms. Looney’s kidney function declined following an episode of organ rejection. Dr. Montgomery mentioned that the specific cause of the rejection is currently under investigation.
However, he noted that the rejection occurred after a reduction in her immunosuppressive medication, which was necessary to address an unrelated infection.
Initial Signs of Rejection
The initial indication of a problem arose from a blood test in Alabama, revealing elevated creatinine levels. Creatinine is a waste product typically filtered from the blood by healthy kidneys. Increased creatinine levels can signify impaired kidney function.
Following the concerning blood test results, Ms. Looney was hospitalized. When her creatinine levels continued to rise, she was airlifted to New York. Doctors performed a kidney biopsy, which confirmed clear indications of rejection, according to Dr. Montgomery.
The pig kidney was subsequently removed last Friday, hospital authorities confirmed.
Safest Course of Action
“The decision to explant the kidney and revert to dialysis, rather than escalating immunosuppression, was jointly made by Ms. Looney and her medical team as the safest approach,” Dr. Montgomery stated in a release.
Continued Research and Clinical Trials
United Therapeutics Corporation, the biotechnology firm responsible for producing the genetically engineered pig that provided Ms. Looney’s kidney, acknowledged her courage and affirmed that the organ appeared to function effectively until the rejection episode.
The company anticipates initiating a clinical trial for pig kidney transplantation later this year, commencing with six patients and eventually expanding to fifty patients.
Addressing Organ Shortage with Xenotransplantation
Pig organs are considered a promising avenue to alleviate the critical shortage of donated organs, particularly kidneys. Over 550,000 individuals in the United States are living with kidney failure and require dialysis, with approximately 100,000 individuals on the waiting list for a kidney transplant.
The demand for human organs significantly outweighs supply. In 2023, fewer than 25,000 transplants were performed, leaving numerous patients to die while awaiting life-saving procedures.