Abstract

The first islet transplantation in diabetes mellitus was performed more than 20 years ago. Since then, clinical results have progressively improved. Nowadays, islet transplantation can be considered a real therapeutic option after pancreatectomy for painful chronic pancreatitis (autotransplantation) and in selected adult patients affected by type 1 diabetes mellitus (allotransplantation). Better results are mainly due to the advances in the standardization of islet isolation and purification procedures as well as in the pharmacological treatment of recipients. Anti-inflammatory treatments facilitate islet engraftment and prevent metabolic exhaustion and functional β-cell apoptosis; new strategies better control islet graft rejection. As a consequence, islet transplantation activities are no longer confined to few centers only, rather thousands of transplants are now performed all over the world. Many attempts are actually undertaken to find solutions to current problems of islets transplantation, from toxicity of immunosuppressive therapy to the limited engraftment, function and duration. There is general hope that these procedures will offer a safe and feasible therapeutic option for an increasing number of patients suffering from diabetes mellitus, including pediatric patients.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.