PRESS RELEASE FROM NATURE CLINICAL PRACTICE ENDOCRINOLOGY AND METABOLISM
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Islet transplantation for diabetes: failing to deliver?
DOI: 10.1038/ncpendmet0369
Has the promise of islet transplantation to treat diabetes been fully realised? Not yet, according to a Viewpoint article to be published in the diabetes-themed January issue of Nature Clinical Practice Endocrinology & Metabolism, in which Piotr Witkowski and Kevan Herold discuss current practice and conclude that the procedure remains far from perfect. They highlight several areas of research that could yield beneficial results for patients.
Type 1 – or insulin-dependent – diabetes mellitus occurs when the insulin-producing islet cells of the pancreas are destroyed by the patient's own immune system. The condition often occurs at a young age and requires life-long treatment with insulin. Islet transplantation aims to replace the damaged cells with healthy donor tissue, allowing recipients to live without daily insulin injections. But as Witkowski and Herold point out, the beneficial effects of islet transplantation are rarely sustained. The procedure is also associated with harmful effects, such as kidney failure, and is not suitable for all patients.
Intensive efforts are underway to improve the outcome for transplant recipients. Shortage of donor tissue is a major hurdle and researchers are seeking alternative sources, such as islet cells grown in the laboratory. Although the long-term benefits of islet transplantation have fallen short of initial expectations of a cure, Witkowski and Herold conclude that the prospects look good as the National Institutes of Health are committed to establishing dedicated islet isolation and resource centres.
Author contact:
Kevan C Herold (Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA)
Email: [email protected]
Editor contact:
Vicky Heath (Associate Editor, Nature Clinical Practice Endocrinology & Metabolism)
Tel: +44 20 7843 4701; Email: [email protected]
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The first four journals launched in November 2004 and a further four in November 2005. This is NPG's most extensive launch programme and the Nature Clinical Practice series is due to extend to 15 titles over the next few years.
Each month the journals filter original research in their field, highlighting the most important research articles, then explaining how the research affects patients' treatments. Content also includes editorial and opinion pieces, highlights from the current literature, commentaries on the application of recent research to practical patient care, thorough reviews, and in-depth case studies.
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