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Alabama Woman Receives Third Genetically Modified Pig Kidney Transplant at NYU Langone Health on November 25, 2024, Ends Dialysis

Dec 17, 2024, 04:37 PM

Towana Looney, a 53-year-old woman from Alabama, has become the third person to receive a genetically modified pig kidney transplant. The procedure, which took place at NYU Langone Health on November 25, 2024, marks a significant advancement in xenotransplantation. Looney, who had been on dialysis for eight years due to kidney failure following a pregnancy complication, is recovering well and no longer requires dialysis. This transplant is the latest in efforts to address the chronic shortage of human organs available for transplant, with more than 100,000 people currently on the U.S. transplant list, most needing kidneys. The pig kidney used in Looney's transplant was provided by Revivicor and featured 10 genetic modifications to enhance compatibility with human recipients and reduce the risk of rejection. Looney's successful transplant is seen as a promising step toward future clinical trials, which are expected to begin next year.