1. Multicenter Australian trial of islet transplantation: improving accessibility and outcomes.
- Author
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O'Connell PJ, Holmes-Walker DJ, Goodman D, Hawthorne WJ, Loudovaris T, Gunton JE, Thomas HE, Grey ST, Drogemuller CJ, Ward GM, Torpy DJ, Coates PT, and Kay TW
- Subjects
- Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Australia epidemiology, Blood Glucose metabolism, Cells, Cultured, Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 blood, Female, Follow-Up Studies, Graft Rejection epidemiology, Graft Survival, Humans, Incidence, Insulin blood, Male, Middle Aged, Retrospective Studies, Sirolimus therapeutic use, Tacrolimus therapeutic use, Treatment Outcome, Young Adult, Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 surgery, Graft Rejection prevention & control, Immunosuppressive Agents therapeutic use, Islets of Langerhans Transplantation methods
- Abstract
Whilst initial rates of insulin independence following islet transplantation are encouraging, long-term function using the Edmonton Protocol remains a concern. The aim of this single-arm, multicenter study was to evaluate an immunosuppressive protocol of initial antithymocyte globulin (ATG), tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) followed by switching to sirolimus and MMF. Islets were cultured for 24 h prior to transplantation. The primary end-point was an HbA1c of <7% and cessation of severe hypoglycemia. Seventeen recipients were followed for ≥ 12 months. Nine islet preparations were transported interstate for transplantation. Similar outcomes were achieved at all three centers. Fourteen of the 17 (82%) recipients achieved the primary end-point. Nine (53%) recipients achieved insulin independence for a median of 26 months (range 7-39 months) and 6 (35%) remain insulin independent. All recipients were C-peptide positive for at least 3 months. All subjects with unstimulated C-peptide >0.2 nmol/L had cessation of severe hypoglycemia. Nine of the 17 recipients tolerated switching from tacrolimus to sirolimus with similar graft outcomes. There was a small but significant reduction in renal function in the first 12 months. The combination of islet culture, ATG, tacrolimus and MMF is a viable alternative for islet transplantation., (© Copyright 2013 The American Society of Transplantation and the American Society of Transplant Surgeons.)
- Published
- 2013
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