  
Islet cell transplantation showing "long-term" results
WESTPORT (Reuters Health) - A total of 15 patients with unstable diabetes have undergone islet cell transplantation at the University of Alberta in Edmonton in the past few years. All became insulin-independent after the procedure and 12 have remained so--some for more than 2 years.
Dr. James Shapiro reported the results of his team's experience at this year's Experimental Biology 2001 meeting in Orlando this week.
Dr. Shapiro said that islet cell transplantation initially resulted in all patients becoming insulin-independent. Transplantation resulted in stable blood glucose levels and the first seven patients who received transplants "all remain insulin-free," Dr. Shapiro said.
"We've learned a couple of important lessons" from this series of transplant patients, Dr. Shapiro told Reuters Health in an interview during the meeting. First, the transplant team found that the immunosuppressant tacrolimus, which they use post-transplantation, has an adverse effect on kidney function in the few patients with poor kidney function at the time of transplantation. Second, immunosuppression has caused stomatitis and hyperlipidemia that has been correctable with drug therapy.
"Islet cell transplantation is not for every patient," Dr. Shapiro said. "It is for those patients with brittle disease who have wide swings in blood glucose levels." However, in that subpopulation, the procedure has proven to correct blood glucose levels and maintain them at stable levels over the long-term, he said. He added that there is little risk in the procedure. If it does not work, the patient simply resumes insulin therapy.
Dr. Shapiro noted that advances are being made in other areas of transplantation, where immunosuppression can be stopped after a finite period of time. He hopes the same can be true with islet cell transplantation.
Multicenter trials of islet cell transplantation are set to start soon.
-Westport Newsroom 203 319 2700
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