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Islet Cell Transplantation
A Promising New Option for Some Diabetics
Islet cell transplant is an exciting new treatment option for some patients with Type 1 diabetes who have problems controlling their blood sugar through diet and daily insulin injections. Using state-of-the-art technology, doctors extract islet cells (that is, insulin-producing cells called the "Islets of Langerhans") from a pancreas, purify them and inject them into the patient’s liver where they can thrive. If conditions remain suitable, these islets begin to produce insulin, reducing the need for insulin injections. The goal is to have the cells produce enough insulin to control blood glucose levels without insulin injections.