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A Method for Murine Islet Isolation and Subcapsular Kidney Transplantation
Published on: April 13, 2011
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Who Should Be Considered for Islet Transplantation Alone?
Nantia Othonos1, Pratik Choudhary2
1Department of Diabetes, King's College London, Denmark Hill, London, SE5 9RJ, UK.
Current Diabetes Reports
|March 16, 2017
Summary
Islet transplantation can resolve severe hypoglycemia in type 1 diabetes patients unresponsive to conventional treatments. Optimal candidate selection and protocols are key for successful islet cell transplantation outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Transplantation Immunology
- Metabolic Diseases
Background:
- Exogenous insulin for type 1 diabetes often causes episodic hypoglycemia.
- Impaired hypoglycemia awareness affects up to 30% of patients, severely impacting quality of life.
- Some patients remain at risk for life-threatening hypoglycemia despite advanced education and technology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the selection process for islet transplantation candidates.
- To identify suitable patients for this alternative therapy when conventional methods fail.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent clinical data on islet transplantation outcomes.
- Analysis of recipient characteristics and protocol optimizations.
Main Results:
- Optimal recipients: age >35 years, insulin needs <1.0/kg, weight <85 kg.
- Islet transplantation can resolve hypoglycemia and normalize glucose levels.
- Up to 40% of patients achieve temporary insulin independence.
Conclusions:
- Islet transplantation is a viable therapeutic option for select type 1 diabetes patients.
- Careful candidate selection, donor matching, optimized protocols, and immunosuppression are critical for success.
