A large scale analysis of gene expression in individual
islet cells of the pancreas suggests insulin-producing beta cells are not the only sub-class of cells important for glucose control and diabetes treatment as previously thought.
To address this hurdle, Klearchos Papas, professor in the Department of Surgery at the University of Arizona, Tucson, is studying the efficacy of
islet cells from sources other than the human pancreas--including beta cells derived from human stem cells, and
islet cells from pigs.
Histologically, functioning and nonfunctioning
islet cell tumors are identical with three observed patterns: (1) solid, diffuse pattern; (2) ribbon like, trabecular pattern; and (3) an acinar or duct like pattern.
Pancreatic
islet cell tumours are very rare neuroendocrine tumours which are less aggressive and slower growing than the more common pancreatic adenocarcinomas.
In a study of 36
islet cell transplant recipients published in 2006, more than 40% of participants were off insulin therapy completely within one year of the last infusion of
islet cells.
SAN FRANCISCO -- A majority of patients with chronic pancreatitis experienced pain relief and many were spared a lifetime of insulin-dependent diabetes when total pancreatectomy was followed by autotransplantation of
islet cells in a University of Minnesota study.
the University of Alberta surgeon who pioneered cadaveric
islet cell transplantation in 1999, performed the procedure with a team of Japanese surgeons in Kyoto on Jan.
He soon will no longer need the insulin he has taken since 1976 after having three transplants of
islet cells from the pancreases of dead donors by a team at King's College Hospital, London.
He no longer needs insulin injections after having three transplants of
islet cells from the pancreases of dead donors.
Diabetes results when a white blood cell mistakes
islet cells for foreign tissue.
Preliminary research at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in California shows that a protein in the body called GLP-1 helps prevent insulin-producing
islet cells in the pancreas from dying.
He underwent the first
islet cell transplant on March 15, 2002.
