Main description:

Beta cell replacement through transplantation remains the only treatment option for Type 1 diabetes enabling restoration of near-physiological glucose levels without significant hypoglycemia. Outlining the most recent advances and research breakthroughs, this practical guide and reference work explores the impact of islet cell transplantation and brings together leading multidisciplinary proponents critical to future success in the field. Edited by a surgeon and an endocrinologist at the forefront of the technology, this volume considers challenges associated with this procedure including lack of sufficient donor organs and the side effects of immunosuppressive therapy, as well as the potential benefits for current and future patients.

Islet Transplantation and Beta Cell Replacement Therapy, after a brief historical overview, examines:

the key role of endocrinologists in holistic assessment and selection of islet transplant recipients
the factors underlying attrition of islet function over time and need for enhanced graft monitoring post transplantation
future in vivo islet imaging
setting up new clinical islet transplant programs by outlining potential models and pitfalls-including cost effectiveness and sustainable integrated approaches
clinical outcomes and the future direction for islet transplantation, including alternative sources of beta cells, to meet future clinical needs through xenotransplantation, new insulin-producing cells from adult tissue, and stem cell banks

Contents:

A Historical Perspective on Experimental and Clinical Islet Transplantation. Hypoglycemia in Type 1 Diabetes: The Need for a New Approach. Patient Selection and Assessment: An Endocrinologist's Perspective. The Surgical Aspects of Pancreas Procurement for Pancreatic Islet Transplantation. Pancreas Preservation for Islet Isolation. Aspects and Challenges of Islet Isolation. Percutaneous Portal Vein Access: Radiological Aspects. Care of the Islet Transplant Recipient - Immunosuppressive Management and Complications. Islet Graft Monitoring and Imaging. Metabolic Measures of Islet Function and Mass After Islet Transplantation. Challenges in Setting Up a New Islet Transplant Program. Key Factors to Consider in Setting Up Clinical Trials in Islet Cell Transplantation: A Nursing Coordinator's Perspective. Clinical Outcomes and Future Directions in Islet Transplantation. Culture and Transportation of Human Islets Between Centers. Development and Application of Contemporary Immunosuppresion in Human Islet Transplantation. Pig Islet Xenotransplantation-Update and Context. Approaches to ss-cell Regeneration and Neogenesis. Stem Cell Approaches for ss-cell Replacement. Diabetes Gene Therapy