Successful islet after kidney transplantations in a distance over 1000 kilometres: Preliminary results of the Budapest-Geneva collaboration.
To overcome critical islet processing and to ensure patient safety and quality care, we have established an international collaboration between two geographically distant transplant centers for islet transplantation. Four pancreata were harvested and immediately preserved by the two-layer method (oxygenated perfluorocarbon+University of Wisconsin) and subsequently transported for the automated method isolation to Geneva. After purification, the islets were cultured overnight and transported the next day back to Budapest. Three consecutive kidney transplant patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus underwent islet transplantation via percutaneous transhepatic portal embolization using the bag-method. The immunosuppression consisted of daclizumab, sirolimus, and low-dose tacrolimus. Mean donor age was 43.7 years, mean body mass index: 26.5. The islet isolation process began within 8 hours from the donor aorta cross-clamp in all cases. The isolation success rate was 80% (4 of 5). In Budapest, the islets were assessed for viability. No complications occurred during the transplantation, and the portal pressure remained within the normal range. The first patient received 12,000 IU/BW from two donors and the insulin requirement decreased from 40 U/d to 10 U/d. The second patient received 7200 IU/BW from a single donor and became immediately insulin free. The third patient was given 7100 IU/BW; the insulin requirement decreased from 39 U/d to 14 U/d. Posttransplant follow-up for the three patients are 7 months, 4 months, and 2 weeks, respectively. All patients achieved metabolic stability. These preliminary results demonstrate the feasibility of an international collaborative islet transplantation program at a distance over 1000 km.
Langer
R M
RM
Department of Transplantation and Surgery, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary. roblanger@hotmail.com
Máthé
Z
Z
Doros
A
A
Máthé
Z S
ZS
Weszelits
V
V
Filó
A
A
Bucher
P
P
Morel
P
P
Berney
T
T
Járay
J
J
D000328:Adult; D005843:Geography; D006801:Humans; D006814:Hungary; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007391:International Cooperation; D016381:Islets of Langerhans Transplantation / Q000276:immunology / Q000379:methods*; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000276:immunology / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D018579:Patient Selection; D012449:Safety; D013557:Switzerland; D014019:Tissue Donors / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents