[Development of insulinoma cells as therapy in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus]

In healthy persons insulin secreting beta-cells of the pancreas regulate blood glucose levels within a narrow physiological range. Since the detection of insulin in 1922 by Banting and Best, subcutaneous insulin replacement has remained the sole treatment modality for insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). However, even trained patients undergoing intensive insulin therapy fail to achieve normal function of the pancreatic beta-cells. One approach to solve this problem is pancreas and islet cell transplantation. Because of technical problems, limited number of transplantable organs and toxicity of immunosuppressive therapy, both are still in an experimental state. An alternative approach is the development of genetically modified insulin secreting cell lines for replacement of islet cells. So far, experiments support the expectation to develop genetically manipulated cell lines who imitate the function of islet beta-cells and are protected from the immune response. The ultimate goal is the development of an engineered human beta-cell line and, after animal experiments, to use it for treatment of patients with IDDM.