autologous islet cell transplantation

Autologous islet cell transplantation (IAT) is a cellular therapy primarily utilized in patients undergoing total pancreatectomy (TP) for medically refractory chronic pancreatitis. The procedure involves the surgical removal of the patient's pancreas, followed by the isolation of the islets of Langerhans from the excised tissue in a specialized laboratory. These isolated islets are then re-infused into the patient's portal venous system, where they engraft within the liver sinusoids and function as an ectopic endocrine organ. The primary therapeutic goal is to preserve endogenous insulin secretion and prevent or mitigate the development of post-surgical pancreatogenic diabetes (Type 3c diabetes). By maintaining a population of functional beta cells, the procedure helps regulate blood glucose levels, reduces glycemic variability, and can significantly decrease or eliminate the long-term requirement for exogenous insulin therapy.

Other names

TPIATislet autotransplantationautologous islet auto-transplantationTotal Pancreatectomy with Autologous Islet Transplantation