University of Virginia Health System

Islet Cell Transplantation

After the Transplant

Patients who have received islet infusions will, as in other organ transplants, commit to a lifelong regimen of anti-rejection medications and medical follow-up to prevent the immune system from destroying the islet cells. Our standard protocol is treatment before the transplant with thymoglobulin and etanercept. After transplant, patients follow a maintenance regimen of tacrolimus and sirolimus anti-rejection drugs.

Follow-up study requirements will be extensive. In addition to frequent study visits, glucose logs, and adherence to the medication regimen, patients will be required to have blood drawn for testing on a fixed schedule. Initially this blood work will occur twice-weekly; this frequency will, over time, decline to an annual schedule. These blood tests will allow the study to monitor the anti-rejection drug levels and patient well-being.