Beta Cell Replacement Therapy in Nonuremic Patients with Brittle T1DM Allows for Durable Long Term Insulin Independence Halting Progression of Secondary Diabetic Complications
1Surgery, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 2Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel, 3Nephrology, Transplantology and Internal Medicine, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
Meeting: 2020 American Transplant Congress
Abstract number: C-332
Keywords: Insulin, Islets, Outcome, Pancreas transplantation
Session Information
Session Name: Poster Session C: Pancreas and Islet: All Topics
Session Type: Poster Session
Date: Saturday, May 30, 2020
Session Time: 3:15pm-4:00pm
Presentation Time: 3:30pm-4:00pm
Location: Virtual
*Purpose: Beta cell replacement therapy in form of pancreas or islet transplantation is the only effective treatment for patients suffering from hypoglycemic unawareness despite intensive insulin treatment. Transplant provide endogenous insulin allowing for physiologic optimal blood glucose control.
*Methods: 13 consecutive nonuremic patients with “brittle” type 1 diabetes (T1DM) received 27 islet transplants (up to 3 islet infusions) and 4 of them subsequently pancreas transplantation to extend benefit of insulin independence. Thymoglobulin was used during first islet transplant and basiliximab prior to subsequent islet and pancreas transplants for induction, whereas tacrolimus and mycophenolate for maintenance immunosuppression. Patient received Reparixin, etarnecept or no anti-inflammatory therapy in peritransplant period.
*Results: Three patients developed DSA with antibody mediated rejection and 1 severe cytokine release syndrome and 1 bleeding, which compromised islet graft function. Overall 1, 2, 3 and 5 year insulin independence rate after first islet transplantation was 11/13 (85%), 11/13 (85%) and 8/13 (61%), 6/13 (46%), respectively. Four patients received pancreas tx after median 4.5 years (3.5-6.5) increasing 5 and 6 year insulin independence rate to 69% (9/13) and 70% (7/10), respectively. Currently, 10/13 77% (10/13) are still off insulin with median follow 6.5 (5-7.5). Remaining 2 patients dropped the study due to social reasons right after their first or second islet transplant, another one dropped due to leukemia. Secondary diabetic complications such as the diabetic neuropathy remained stable but retinopathy improved in 4/13 patients (30%). None of the patients experienced any of the cardiovascular events. One patient with creatinine 1.55 mg/ml (GFR = 59) received kidney together with pancreas transplantation.
*Conclusions: Beta cell replacement therapy in form of islet and subsequent pancreas transplantation has proven its long term efficacy in restoring normoglycemia and alleviating the immediate burden of hypoglycemic unawareness as well as preventing progression of secondary complications.
To cite this abstract in AMA style:
Bachul PJ, Grybowski DJ, Anteby R, Basto L, Perea L, Golab K, Wang L, Tibudan M, Perez-Gutierrez A, Komorniczak M, Lucander A, Borek P, Dimitrov M, Fung J, Witkowski P. Beta Cell Replacement Therapy in Nonuremic Patients with Brittle T1DM Allows for Durable Long Term Insulin Independence Halting Progression of Secondary Diabetic Complications [abstract]. Am J Transplant. 2020; 20 (suppl 3). https://atcmeetingabstracts.com/abstract/beta-cell-replacement-therapy-in-nonuremic-patients-with-brittle-t1dm-allows-for-durable-long-term-insulin-independence-halting-progression-of-secondary-diabetic-complications/. Accessed May 31, 2025.« Back to 2020 American Transplant Congress