Pancreatic and Islet Transplantation for Diabetes — Cures or Curiosities?

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Abstract
A PRESSING question in diabetes research is whether transplanting a pancreas or pancreatic islet cells can be used as successful therapy. In animals with insulin-dependent diabetes, pancreatic and islet transplantation has repeatedly been successful in establishing euglycemia. In humans with diabetes, successful transplantation of the pancreas maintains euglycemia, but at considerable cost in terms of morbidity and health care funds. Success with the less costly procedure of islet transplantation remains elusive. Resolution of the remaining technical difficulties with both these procedures is all the more urgent because, if pancreatic or islet transplantation or both are completely successful, they could provide . . .