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Human Pancreatic Islet Isolation: Part I: Digestion and Collection of Pancreatic Tissue
Published on: May 26, 2009
Establishing a cGMP pancreatic islet processing facility: the first experience in Iran
Bagher Larijani1, Babak Arjmand, Mahsa M Amoli
1Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Shariati Hospital, North Kargar Avenue, Tehran, Iran.
Cell and Tissue Banking
|August 6, 2011
Summary
Researchers established a current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) islet processing facility in Iran. This facility successfully performed islet isolation and transplantation, offering a potential cure for diabetes and valuable insights for regional centers.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Metabolic Diseases
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Diabetes prevalence is projected to significantly increase in the Middle East.
- Current diabetes treatments focus on complication management, not a cure.
- Beta-cell replacement therapies show promise for disease remission.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish a current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) islet processing facility in Iran.
- To perform successful clinical islet isolation and transplantation.
- To share experiences for establishing similar facilities in regional countries.
Main Methods:
- Securing funding and approval from Tehran University of Medical Sciences in 2005.
- Establishing a cGMP-compliant facility for islet processing.
- Conducting process validation and experimental islet isolations.
- Performing the first clinical islet isolation and transplantation in September 2010.
Main Results:
- Successful establishment of a cGMP islet processing facility.
- Completion of initial islet isolation procedures.
- First successful clinical islet isolation and transplantation achieved in 2010.
- Demonstrated the feasibility and potential benefits of beta-cell replacement therapy.
Conclusions:
- The established cGMP facility provides a foundation for advanced diabetes treatment in Iran.
- Islet transplantation, despite high costs, offers long-term benefits by preventing complications.
- This experience can guide other countries in the region aiming to develop similar therapeutic capabilities.
