Korean J Med.  2008 Sep;75(3):274-279.

History, current status and perspective of islet transplantation

• Kim JH
• Kim KW

Abstract

Islet transplantation has been considered as an attractive procedure due to its simplicity, and because it can improve glycemic control in type 1 diabetic patient with hypoglycemic unawareness. In 2000, Shapiro et al. at the University of Alberta in Edmonton reported successful reversal of type 1 diabetes by pancreatic islet transplantation in seven patients with severe hypoglycemia, but no kidney disease. After the Edmonton milestone report, there has been an exponential increase in clinical islet transplantation activities. However, the revived enthusiasm regarding clinical islet transplantation after the landmark Edmonton trial has been decreased by the long-term results. The aim of this review is to summarize history, current status and the perspective of islet transplantation in patients with type 1 diabetes.

Keyword

Islet; Islet transplantation; Diabetes; Hypoglycemia

MeSH Terms

Alberta
Humans
Hypoglycemia
Islets of Langerhans
Islets of Langerhans Transplantation
Kidney Diseases
Transplants