FDA-Approved Islet Transplant Ends Insulin Dependence at UI Health
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First FDA-approved Islet Transplant Performed at UI Health Allows Patient to Stop Insulin Injections
Breakthrough Treatment for Brittle Type 1 Diabetes
Doctors at UI Health have successfully performed the first islet transplant using Lantidra, the only therapy approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat brittle type 1 diabetes. The recipient, a 69-year-old man from Illinois, received the transplant on August 26th and has since been able to discontinue daily insulin injections.
Lantidra became available exclusively at UI Health last November, marking a meaningful advancement in diabetes treatment.
Understanding Islet Cell Therapy and Lantidra
Pancreatic islet cell therapy, using Lantidra, is specifically approved by the FDA for adults with type 1 diabetes who struggle to manage their blood sugar levels. This includes individuals experiencing frequent episodes of severe hypoglycemia and hypoglycemia unawareness (the inability to detect when blood sugar is dropping dangerously low).
Lantidra is derived from the pancreas of deceased donors.The islet cells are infused into the patient’s liver, where they begin producing insulin, helping to regulate blood glucose levels. A donor match, determined by the United Network for Organ Sharing, is required for the procedure.
Type 1 Diabetes: A Lifelong Challenge
type 1 diabetes is a chronic autoimmune disease requiring lifelong management. Patients with type 1 diabetes need multiple daily insulin injections or an insulin pump because their immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas.
Even with insulin therapy, individuals with type 1 diabetes can develop serious, life-threatening complications, including damage to the heart, blood vessels, eyes, nerves, and kidneys. The exact cause of type 1 diabetes remains unknown.
The Patient’s Viewpoint
Just a week after the transplant, the patient, Edward “Ed” Augustin III, of libertyville, Illinois, was able to stop taking his daily insulin injections. This marks a significant betterment in his quality of life.
“The advantage of islet transplant is that there is n