Transplantatie van eilandjes van Langerhans bij patiënten met diabetes mellitus type 1

–Since 1921 and until recently, insulin by injection has been the only treatment for patients with diabetes mellitus type 1.

–After pancreas transplantation, which became possible in 1977, the next logical step to cure patients with diabetes mellitus type 1 is the transplantation of the islets of Langerhans.

–In the last few years, the results of islet transplantation are markedly improved thanks to developments in the isolation technique and better immunosuppressive protocols.

–Ongoing problems in islet transplantation are allo-immunity, auto-immunity and the growing shortage of donor pancreases.

–Alternatives to pancreas donation, be it post-mortem or from a living donor, could be: sources for islets are xenotransplantation with the aid of pig islets and β-cell neogenesis from embryonic stem cells or pancreatic duct cells.

Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd 2005;149:12-6