Dr. Anil Prasad Bhatt, MD, DM (Nephrology, AIIMS)
Director – Nephrology and Kindey Transplant
Max Super Speciality Hospital, Noida.
Holy Family Hospital, New Delhi
And Renacare Center for Kindey Disease and Research.

In a remarkable stride toward addressing the global organ shortage crisis, kidney xenotransplantation—the transplantation of genetically modified animal organs into humans—has shown promising results in recent cases, offering hope to millions awaiting life-saving transplants. Two pioneering cases in the United States highlight the potential of this experimental procedure, while ongoing research and upcoming clinical trials signal a transformative future for transplant medicine.

Case 1: Towana Looney’s Record-Setting Pig Kidney Transplant

In November 2024, Towana Looney, a 53-year-old grandmother from Gadsden, Alabama, became the fifth American to receive a gene-edited pig kidney at NYU Langone Health. Looney, who had been on dialysis for eight years after her remaining kidney failed due to pregnancy complications, was freed from dialysis for over four months, setting a new record for the longest survival with a pig kidney in a human. The kidney, provided by United Therapeutics, was genetically modified with 10 edits to reduce rejection risk. Initially, Looney thrived, returning home in February 2025 and enjoying a renewed quality of life. However, in late March, her immune system began rejecting the organ, and the kidney was removed after 130 days. Looney returned to dialysis but expressed no regrets, stating her experience could inspire others. Her surgeon, Dr. Robert Montgomery, emphasized that her case provided critical insights for future clinical trials, noting, “Making xenotransplants work is going to be won with singles and doubles, not swinging for the fence every time.”

Case 2: Tim Andrews’ Successful Pig Kidney Transplant

On January 25, 2025, Tim Andrews, a 66-year-old from New Hampshire, became the second person to receive a pig kidney transplant at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), following the world’s first such procedure at the same institution in March 2024. The kidney, supplied by eGenesis, was genetically modified to enhance compatibility with the human immune system. Andrews, who had been on dialysis, recovered well enough to leave the hospital just one week after the surgery. His kidney functioned normally, producing urine and clearing waste without signs of rejection, allowing him to bypass dialysis. Andrews, motivated by the struggles of others he met at his dialysis clinic, expressed hope that his transplant would inspire the over 500,000 Americans on dialysis. Dr. TatsuoKawai, who led the surgery, described the procedure as a step into “uncharted territory” but remained optimistic about achieving kidney survival beyond two years.

A Hope for Mankind

Kidney xenotransplantation holds immense promise for alleviating the dire organ shortage crisis. With over 100,000 Americans on the kidney transplant waitlist and thousands dying annually while waiting, the success of these cases underscores the potential of gene-edited pig organs to serve as a sustainable alternative. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the first clinical trials for pig kidney transplants, with United Therapeutics set to begin a trial in mid-2025 involving six patients, potentially expanding to 50 if successful. These trials aim to establish the long-term safety and efficacy of xenotransplants, building on lessons from compassionate-use cases like Looney’s and Andrews’.

Advancements in gene editing have reduced the risk of rejection by modifying pig organs to appear less foreign to the human immune system, while improved immunosuppressive therapies enhance outcomes. Researchers are also exploring xenotransplantation for other organs, such as hearts and livers, with a recent Chinese pig kidney transplant and a pig liver transplant in a brain-dead recipient marking global progress.

Despite challenges, including the risk of infection and organ rejection, the field is gaining momentum. The National Kidney Foundation’s Voice of the Patient report revealed that kidney disease patients are eager for xenotransplantation trials, driven by the hope of escaping the physical and emotional toll of dialysis. Looney’s and Andrews’ cases, though not without setbacks, demonstrate that xenotransplantation can extend lives and improve quality of life, paving the way for a future where organ shortages may no longer claim lives.

References

1. The Independent. (2025, April 11). Pig kidney removed from Alabama woman a record 130 days after transplant.
2. Harvard Medical School. (2025, February 7). Surgeons Perform Second Pig Kidney Transplant at Massachusetts General Hospital.
3. (2025, March 17). World-first pig kidney trials mark turning point for xenotransplantation.
4. Yahoo Finance. (2025, February 3). United Therapeutics Corporation Announces FDA Clearance of its Investigational New Drug Application for the UKidney Xenotransplantation Clinical Trial.
5. (2025, April 10). Longest human transplant of pig kidney fails.
6. AP News. (2025, February 7). New Hampshire man is 2nd person known to be living with a pig kidney.
7. (2025, March 30). Gene-modified pig-to-human liver xenotransplantation.
8. (2025, March 17). X Post on Chinese pig kidney transplant.
9. PR Newswire. (2024, December 17). Kidney Patients Interested and Anxious on Xenotransplantation Clinical Trials.

#Keywords
#KidneyXenotransplantation #PigKidneyTransplant #OrganShortage #GeneEditedOrgans #TowanaLooney #TimAndrews #NYULangoneHealth #MassachusettsGeneralHospital #UnitedTherapeutics #eGenesis #ClinicalTrials #Immunosuppression #OrganRejection #DialysisAlternative #TransplantMedicine

Note: While these cases and ongoing research offer hope, xenotransplantation remains experimental, and long-term outcomes are still under investigation. The field’s progress reflects cautious optimism rather than a guaranteed solution.