Nephrol Dial Transplant (2001) 16: 893-896
© 2001 European Renal Association-European Dialysis and Transplant Association
Editorial Comments
Islet transplantation: a field on the move
INSERM U341, Diabetes Department, Hôtel-Dieu Hospital, Paris, France
Keywords: Immunosuppression; islets of Langerhans; islet transplantation; pancreas transplantation; pancreatectomized patients; type 1 diabetes
Introduction
Since 1966, more than ten thousand pancreas transplantations have been performed throughout the world, with a satisfactory rate of success indicated by low mortality and with insulin independence obtained in about 80% of the patients [1]. However, this therapeutic option is limited by the risks of immunosuppression. Pancreas transplantation is therefore only proposed when an immunosuppressive treatment is justified by the necessity of another graft, mostly of the kidney as treatment for end-stage renal failure, which itself is a complication of diabetes. At least in type 1 diabetes, the incidence of this complication is currently decreasing [2]. This may contribute to the decrease, as observed in France, in the number of patients registered on the lists of pancreas–kidney transplantation. The number of pancreas transplantations has also fallen by half during the last 5 years [3]. This can be explained in part by the general
Clinical progress: is islet allograft in type 1 diabetic patients finally efficient in 100% of cases?
New approaches to create a tissue that secretes insulin: science fiction?
Islets of Langerhans produced from stem cells correct experimental diabetes in the mouse
It is possible to produce in vivo insulin-secreting cells from stem cells present in the liver
Notes
References