Islet cell transplantation therapy will provide the functional cure for everyone with Type 1 Diabetes, but only when research finds a way to make the immune system accept transplanted islet cells without using immunosuppressive drugs.

Success involves suppressing the immune cells that reject transplanted islet cells, as well as preventing a recurrence of the autoimmune reaction that destroyed the insulin producing cells in the first place. The challenge is in leaving the rest of the immune system intact to protect the body against infections and disease.

Immunosuppressive drugs are very toxic and have potential adverse side effects, including cancer. In addition, patients also are at higher risk of developing other infections. Replacing islet cells while blocking the autoimmune response in Type I Diabetics, will provide an effective means to restore glycemic control.

There also remains a serious shortage of islet cells for transplantation. New approaches to improve the functional yield of islets from limited amounts of whole pancreas tissues are needed or new ways to create functional insulin producing cells.