allogeneic islets of Langerhans

Allogeneic islets of Langerhans are a cell therapy product consisting of purified clusters of endocrine cells (including alpha, beta, delta, and PP cells) isolated from a deceased donor's pancreas. Developed by the University of Minnesota for the treatment of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus, particularly in patients with hypoglycemia unawareness or brittle diabetes, these islets are typically infused into the recipient's portal vein. Once engrafted in the liver, the beta cells within the islets sense blood glucose levels and secrete insulin, thereby restoring endogenous glycemic control and potentially achieving insulin independence. To prevent rejection of the allogeneic tissue, recipients require lifelong immunosuppression, often involving induction with agents like anti-thymocyte globulin and maintenance with drugs such as cyclosporine, everolimus, or tacrolimus.

Other names

islet allograftpancreatic islets of Langerhansallogeneic islet transplantUMN islet transplant