Islet Cell Transplantation

Summary

Islets are cells found in clusters throughout the pancreas. They are made up of several types of cells. One of these is beta cells, which make insulin. Insulin is a hormone that helps the body use glucose for energy. Islet cell transplantation transfers cells from an organ donor into the body of another person. It is an experimental treatment for type 1 diabetes.

In type 1 diabetes, the beta cells of the pancreas no longer make insulin. A person who has type 1 diabetes must take insulin daily to live. Transplanted islet cells, however, can take over the work of the destroyed cells. The beta cells in these islets will begin to make and release insulin. Researchers hope islet transplantation will help people with type 1 diabetes live without daily insulin injections.

NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Learn More

Deceased Donor Islet Cell Transplantation 101 (Breakthrough T1D)
Pancreatic Islet Transplantation (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases) Also in Spanish
Questions and Answers for Transplant Candidates about Pancreas, Pancreas-Kidney, and Islet Allocation (Health Resources and Services Administration) Also in Spanish

Clinical Trials

ClinicalTrials.gov: Islet Transplantation (National Institutes of Health)

Journal Articles References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)

Topic Image

National Institutes of Health

The primary NIH organization for research on Islet Cell Transplantation is the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Disclaimers

MedlinePlus links to health information from the National Institutes of Health and other federal government agencies. MedlinePlus also links to health information from non-government Web sites. See our disclaimer about external links and our quality guidelines.