Islet transplantation: lessons learned since the Edmonton breakthrough

Transplant Proc. 2010 Jun;42(5):1421-4. doi: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2010.04.021.

Abstract

This work sought to summarize the main issues of the last decade in the field of clinical islet transplantation. Ten years ago in Edmonton, a new protocol initiated for islet transplantation brought a breakthrough to the field. The earlier, rather poor results were in a sharp contrast to the first published results of 100% insulin freedom at 1 year. However, later it became clear that the promising initial results decline with time; at around 5 years, only about 10% of the patients maintain freedom from external insulin. Despite that fact, a milestone was set and intensive research started worldwide. New hopes were raised for patients. Modifications of the original protocol have been implemented to improve clinical results; however, islet transplantation remains an experimental procedure to date.

Publication types

  • Historical Article
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Blood Glucose / metabolism
  • Cell Separation / methods
  • Diabetes Complications / prevention & control
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / blood
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / surgery*
  • History, 20th Century
  • History, 21st Century
  • Humans
  • Islets of Langerhans / cytology
  • Islets of Langerhans Transplantation / history
  • Islets of Langerhans Transplantation / methods*
  • Islets of Langerhans Transplantation / trends
  • Pancreatectomy / methods
  • Patient Selection
  • Tissue Donors
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Blood Glucose