American Women Transplant Pig Kidneys for 130 Days
- NEW YORK (AP) — A 50-year-old Alabama woman who received a genetically engineered pig kidney transplant experienced 130 days of dialysis-free life before the organ was removed due...
- Towana looney, who had been undergoing dialysis for nine years, received the transplant Nov.
- Robert Montgomery, director of the transplant center and surgery at NYU Langone, Looney began showing signs of acute rejection in early April.
Pig Kidney Transplant Recipient Sets Record Before organ Removal
Table of Contents
- Pig Kidney Transplant Recipient Sets Record Before organ Removal
- Pig Kidney Transplant: A Breakthrough in Xenotransplantation
- What is the main subject of this article?
- What makes this transplant critically important?
- Who was the recipient of the pig kidney transplant?
- When did Towana Looney receive the pig kidney transplant?
- How long did the pig kidney function effectively?
- Why was the pig kidney removed?
- What is xenotransplantation?
NEW YORK (AP) — A 50-year-old Alabama woman who received a genetically engineered pig kidney transplant experienced 130 days of dialysis-free life before the organ was removed due to rejection, according to New York university Langone Medical Centre, where the procedure was performed. While the transplant ultimately failed, it represents the longest period a human has lived with a pig kidney.
Record-Breaking Xenotransplant
Towana looney, who had been undergoing dialysis for nine years, received the transplant Nov. 25, 2023. Although the pig kidney could not permanently sustain her, it functioned effectively for over four months, surpassing previous xenotransplantation attempts, which had not exceeded two months, the medical center reported.
Rejection Leads to Removal
According to Dr. Robert Montgomery, director of the transplant center and surgery at NYU Langone, Looney began showing signs of acute rejection in early April. With her consent, the medical team removed the kidney April 4 to preserve her eligibility for future transplants. She was discharged five days later and is recovering well, montgomery said.
Xenotransplantation: A Promising Alternative
The procedure, known as xenotransplantation, involves genetically modifying pig organs to eliminate genes that could trigger immune rejection in humans. The goal is to use animal organs to address the critical shortage of human organs available for transplant. Despite the eventual rejection, Looney’s 130-day stable period is considered a notable advancement in the field.
Patient’s Perspective
in a statement, Looney expressed gratitude to the medical team, noting that for the first time since 2016, she was free from dialysis and able to spend more time with loved ones. although the results are not what we hoped,I know that what I learned from these 130 days will inspire and help many people,
she said.
Infection Played a Role
Montgomery explained that the rejection occurred after Looney was treated for an infection unrelated to the pig kidney, which necessitated a reduction in her immunosuppressant medication. He emphasized that Looney’s contribution is a major step forward in xenotransplantation research, offering hope for numerous patients in the future.
Ongoing Research
Looney returned to the hospital for a follow-up examination in January, according to the medical center.
Pig Kidney Transplant: A Breakthrough in Xenotransplantation
This Q&A-style article explores the groundbreaking pig kidney transplant that set a new record, drawing information solely from the provided source material.
What is the main subject of this article?
The article discusses a 50-year-old Alabama woman who received a genetically engineered pig kidney transplant and lived for 130 days without dialysis before the organ was removed.
What makes this transplant critically important?
This transplant is significant as it represents the longest period a human has lived with a pig kidney, surpassing previous xenotransplantation attempts.
Who was the recipient of the pig kidney transplant?
the recipient was a 50-year-old woman from Alabama named Towana Looney.
When did Towana Looney receive the pig kidney transplant?
Towana Looney received the transplant on November 25, 2023.
How long did the pig kidney function effectively?
The pig kidney functioned effectively for over four months. As stated in the source document, the functioning period was 130 days of dialysis-free life..
Why was the pig kidney removed?
The pig kidney was removed due to signs of acute rejection.
What is xenotransplantation?
Xenotransplantation is the