Islet Transplantation for Type 1 Diabetes

Decades of research have brought islet transplantation from the dream of few to the reality of many. This procedure started as an experimental method to treat type 1 diabetes mellitus, which features β-cell dysfunction due to auto immunity. The burden of complication in these patients is cumulative and has become a major health problem, despite the availability of insulin therapy. The procedure relies on a sequence of finely orchestrated procedures starting in the donor and followed by several steps to isolate high quality islets. Extensive research is nowadays focussed in improving islet engraftment by providing a more beneficial environment to newly transplanted cells, coupled by more effective immunosuppressive drugs to avoid allo and auto immunity. Excellent results are now a reality in the most specialized centers. Yet, further steps are required to transform this low-risk treatment in a widely available and long-lasting therapy for diabetics worldwide.