Patient lived longest with pig kidney; rejection caused removal

A genetically engineered pig kidney was removed from a patient after functioning for over four months, marking the longest a human has lived with a pig organ. The procedure is a significant step forward in xenotransplantation. Towana Looney, who received the pig kidney in late November, lived 130 days without dialysis before the organ was removed due to acute rejection. The rejection followed a reduction in her immunosuppression regimen to treat an unrelated infection. Looney's participation in the experimental procedure has provided valuable insights into xenotransplantation, a field aiming to address the organ shortage crisis. The biotech company that developed the kidney plans to start human clinical trials in mid-2025.