Islet Transplantation and Beta Cell Replacement Therapy

Beta cell replacement through transplantation remains the only treatment option for Type 1 diabetes enabling restoration of near-physiological glucose levels without significant hypoglycemia. Outlining the most recent advances and research breakthroughs, this practical guide and reference work explores the impact of islet cell transplantation and brings together leading multidisciplinary proponents critical to future success in the field. Edited by a surgeon and an endocrinologist at the forefront of the technology, this volume considers challenges associated with this procedure including lack of sufficient donor organs and the side effects of immunosuppressive therapy, as well as the potential benefits for current and future patients.

Islet Transplantation and Beta Cell Replacement Therapy, after a brief historical overview, examines:

• the key role of endocrinologists in holistic assessment and selection of islet transplant recipients
• the factors underlying attrition of islet function over time and need for enhanced graft monitoring post transplantation
• future in vivo islet imaging
• setting up new clinical islet transplant programs by outlining potential models and pitfalls-including cost effectiveness and sustainable integrated approaches
• clinical outcomes and the future direction for islet transplantation, including alternative sources of beta cells, to meet future clinical needs through xenotransplantation, new insulin-producing cells from adult tissue, and stem cell banks