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Islet Cell Transplantation

A Clinical Trial That Serves Patient Needs

UVa’s Division of Cellular Transplantation, in conjunction with the divisions of Transplantation and Endocrinology are participating in a federally-funded Phase I study to demonstrate the effectiveness of islet cell transplantation (HIC # 10267). This is an international collaborative project involving more than 20 major medical centers in a program to see if Islet Transplants stabilize or reverse complications of Type 1 diabetes and eliminate low blood sugar.

We will look at the long term benefits of having this procedure, of reducing or eliminating the need for insulin injections, and of expected reductions of diabetic complications from heart and kidney disease, retinopathy, neuropathy, etc. (To learn more about this collaborative project please visit the Collaborative Islet Transplant Registry web site.)

Who May Qualify? (Study Inclusion Criteria)

A patient must meet study criteria to become a potential candidate for transplantation. Two broad groups of diabetes patients will be considered. Group 1 will consist of Type 1 diabetics with normal renal function and severe hypoglycemia or exceptionally poor diabetes control despite intensive management by an endocrinologist. Group 2 will consist of Type 1 diabetic patients who have already received a kidney transplant and have stable renal function without recent rejection episodes.

In addition, patients accepted into this program will:

  • Be between the ages of 18 and 65 years
  • Have been Diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes for more than 5 years
  • Have a negative pregnancy test (for women) and be using appropriate contraception
  • Have negative viral serologies (HIV; hepatitis A, B & C)
  • Have no active malignancy, infection or cardiac disease
  • Have benefited from expert diabetes management by an endocrinologist for at least 6 months

To be considered for this study, or to refer a patient, please call 1 (800) 543-8814 and ask to speak with the Islet Transplant Coordinator.