Successful Kidney Transplant from Genetically Modified Pig Marks Medical Milestone
A woman from Alabama has made history as the third patient to receive a kidney transplant sourced from a genetically modified pig, according to medical professionals. The procedure was conducted at NYU Langone Health on November 25, and the recipient, 53-year-old Towana Looney, is now free from dialysis treatment.
The surgery, which lasted seven hours, was a part of ongoing research into xenotransplantation, a field focused on transplanting organs from one species to another. In the United States, over 103,000 individuals are currently awaiting organ transplants, with the majority requiring kidney replacements. Due to the ongoing shortage of human donor organs, scientists are increasingly exploring pigs as a viable alternative.
Looney expressed her gratitude at a press conference, describing the transplant as a vital second chance at life. Her journey to this point has been fraught with challenges; she previously donated a kidney to her mother in 1999 but later faced kidney failure due to complications from high blood pressure linked to pregnancy. Despite remaining on the transplant waiting list for nearly eight years, her sensitization to various tissue types complicated her chances of finding a compatible human donor.
Earlier this year, two other patients also underwent similar procedures using pig organs. In March, Richard Slayman, aged 62, received a pig kidney but unfortunately passed away two months post-surgery, with his medical team stating that there was no evidence linking his death to the transplant. The second patient, Lisa Pisano, received both a kidney and a thymus gland from a genetically engineered pig but faced complications leading to the removal of the kidney shortly after the procedure. She subsequently passed away in July.
These cases highlight the complexities and risks associated with xenotransplantation. Looney's procedure was approved under the FDA's compassionate use program, designed for patients facing serious health conditions without viable treatment options. This experimental approach was led by an experienced surgical team, including Dr. Jayme Locke, who previously conducted similar transplants in brain-dead patients.
The genetically modified pig whose kidney was transplanted into Looney underwent ten specific genetic modifications aimed at enhancing compatibility with the human immune system. These modifications included the removal of three pig genes that are known to provoke immune responses and the introduction of six human genes to further reduce the likelihood of organ rejection.
In the pursuit of effective xenotransplantation, researchers continue to debate the optimal number of genetic alterations required to improve the long-term viability of pig organs in human patients. This latest transplant is a significant advancement toward conducting formal clinical trials that involve more patients, helping to address the critical shortage of human organs.
Dr. Robert Montgomery, who is the director of the NYU Langone Transplant Institute, expressed optimism about Looney's prognosis, noting that she is in better physical health compared to previous patients. He highlighted the ongoing challenge of ensuring that these transplanted organs can function effectively over extended periods.
As research progresses, the medical community remains hopeful that genetically engineered pig organs could provide a sustainable source of transplants for patients in need, potentially transforming the landscape of organ donation and transplantation in the future. However, for now, the focus remains on understanding how to support these organs and ensure their longevity within the human body.
