Current status of clinical islet transplantation

Transplantation. 2005 May 27;79(10):1289-93. doi: 10.1097/01.tp.0000157273.60147.7c.

Abstract

Islet transplantation is currently being explored as a treatment for patients with type 1 diabetes. At present, the number of patients becoming insulin-independent is rapidly increasing world-wide applying the transplantation protocol originally described by the group in Edmonton. A hallmark in this procedure is repeated infusions of islets obtained from 2 to 4 donors until normoglycemia is achieved. In order to establish islet transplantation as a widely accepted treatment modality, and make tolerance induction regimes applicable, it is essential that the donor:recipient ratio is brought down to 1:1. A conceivable strategy to achieve this goal in clinical islet transplantation is discussed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / surgery*
  • Graft Survival
  • Humans
  • Islets of Langerhans Transplantation* / immunology
  • Islets of Langerhans Transplantation* / methods
  • Islets of Langerhans Transplantation* / trends
  • Treatment Outcome