Autologous pancreatic islet cells

Autologous pancreatic islet cells are the functional endocrine units (islets of Langerhans) harvested from a patient's own pancreas, typically during a total pancreatectomy for chronic pancreatitis (NIDDK, 2023). These cells are processed to separate them from the exocrine tissue and are re-infused into the patient's portal vein, where they engraft within the liver sinusoids and function as an ectopic endocrine organ (PubMed, 2022). The primary biological role of these cells is to maintain glucose homeostasis through the regulated secretion of insulin, glucagon, and somatostatin (StatPearls, 2023). By preserving endogenous insulin production, this therapy aims to prevent the severe, "brittle" form of diabetes that follows complete pancreatic removal, known as Type 3c diabetes (National Pancreas Foundation, 2024). Unlike allogeneic islet transplantation, autologous cells do not require immunosuppression because they are recognized as "self" by the immune system (NIH, 2023). The clinical efficacy is monitored through C-peptide production and glycemic stability, though risks include portal vein thrombosis and procedural bleeding (PubMed, 2022).

Other names

Autologous islets of LangerhansPancreatic endocrine tissueAutologous islet cell transplantIslet autograft

Restoration of endogenous insulin and glucagon secretion through the isolation of functional endocrine tissue from the patient's own pancreas and its subsequent engraftment into the liver via portal vein infusion.