title: Current challenges in islet transplantation.
abstract: Allogeneic islet transplantation is becoming a treatment option for patients with unstable type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Around 80% of the islet recipients achieve insulin independence after one or two islet infusions under "Edmonton-like" immunosuppressive protocol, but only 10% will remain insulin independent over the long term. Islet transplantation leads to glucose stabilization, and severe hypoglycemia is prevented even in patients back on insulin injections. Thus, islet transplantation has achieved the proposed targets in patients with unstable T1DM: normalizing blood glucose and hemoglobin A(1c), preventing severe hypoglycemic episodes, and improving quality of life. The current aims of islet transplantation programs are to maintain the success achieved and to overcome remaining obstacles and limitations.
authors.affiliation: Diabetes Research Institute-University of Miami, 1450 NW 10th Avenue (R134), Miami, FL 33136, USA.
authors.forename: Cristiane B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Leitão
authors.forename: Pablo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cure
authors.forename: Thipaporn
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tharavanij
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Baidal
authors.forename: Rodolfo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Alejandro
mesh_terms: D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000097:blood / Q000601:surgery*; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D016381:Islets of Langerhans Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D011788:Quality of Life; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin