In a trial conducted by French researchers, islet transplantation has shown encouraging results in the treatment of people with Type 1 diabetes, according to an article from Diabetes in Control.
Islets are made of several types of cells, including beta cells, and are located in the pancreas. They are responsible for making insulin. With Type 1 diabetes, the body mistakenly attacks these cells, destroying their ability to produce insulin.
The study involved 14 patients, who received two or three infusions over three months. An average of 12 days after the final islet infusion, each of the 14 patients was insulin independent, meaning they were producing insulin on their own. At one month, graft function was considered optimal in 9 patients, according to Dr. Francois Pattou, a senior investigator in the trial.
At one year, 10 of the patients were considered insulin independent and had an A1C score of 6.5% or lower. When the researchers followed up in 2 to 5 years, 8 of the patients were still considered insulin independent. Pattou said this procedure, while still in the clinical stage, may soon be routine for those suffering from the most severe forms of Type 1 diabetes.
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