Results of Human Islet Allotransplantation in Cystic Fibrosis and Type I Diabetic Patients

Abstract

TRANSPLANTATION of isolated islets of Langerhans is an alternative approach to whole organ pancreas transplantation. Before 1990, the results of islet transplantation in humans were frustrating, but with new isolation and purification techniques of human pancreases, clinical trials of islet transplantation have been reported in a few specialized centers worldwide. The International Islet Registry counted 305 human islet allografts at the end of 1995. Insulin independence at one year was achieved in 8% of the patients, but 20% of insulin-dependent cases showed a graft function with a normal basal C-peptide and improved glycemic regulation. We report herein our initial experience in human islet allotransplantation in six patients.