The goal of islet transplantation is to give back only the cells necessary for blood sugar control. Instead of major surgery, the procedure is performed in a radiology suite, and takes approximately 20 – 30 minutes.
The objectives of clinical islet transplantation are to:
- Determine whether the natural history of the micro-vascular, macro- vascular and neuropathic complications are altered following successful transplantation of islet cells.
- Assess long-term function of successful islet cell transplants in patients with type 1 diabetes.
- Establish an improvement in the glycemic control and/or the reversal of insulin dependency in patients with unstable type 1 diabetes.
Though progress has been substantial, islet transplantation remains an experimental procedure. The DRI’s Clinical Islet Transplant team continues to develop and test new protocols to improve islet transplantation, and is actively involved in screening individuals for participation.
Current Clinical Studies
1. Steroid-Free/Calcineurin-Free Trial in Islet Cell Transplantation Utilizing Campath-1H as Induction Therapy
2. Islet Cell Transplantation Alone and CD34+ Enriched Donor Bone Marrow Cell Infusion in Patients with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus; Steroid-Free Regimen Using Campath 1H as Induction Therapy
3. Islet Cell Transplantation Alone in Patients with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus: Steroid-Free Immunosuppression*
4. Islet After Kidney Transplant*
5. Strategies to Improve Long Term Islet Graft Survival.