Islet Cell Transplantation

Abstract

The important advances made in islet separation techniques, in understanding the immunological mechanism of islet rejection, in immunosuppression strategies made it possible to start clinical trials of islet transplantation in diabetic patients. Preliminary results showed that islet transplantation is a safe procedure able to restore the pancreatic endocrine function in diabetic patients. Potentialities of islet transplantation and future development in this field are analyzed in this review.