Edmonton Pancreas Islet Trial Results Termed "Very Encouraging"

Three out of the four type 1 diabetics participating in the landmark Edmonton islet-cell transplantation trial remain free of the need of insulin injections after three years, according to an update presented at the 19th International Congress of The Transplantation Society.

Dr. James Shapiro, director of the islet transplant program at the University of Alverta in Edmonton, Canada, said 37 patients are now being treated at his center and a total of 151 at centers worldwide.

Shapiro said 83 percent of the patients who received the islet cells transplants using what has become known as the Edmonton protocol remained insulin free after one year.

"The international trial of the Edmonton protocol is now about halfway through," reported Shapiro. "The results so far are very encouraging. Islet transplants work -- and they work very effectively."

Shapiro said thus far, the patients participating in the trial -- who all have to take anti-rejection drugs -- have not experienced any of the more significnt potential adverse side-effects of immunosuppressive medications such as cancer.

"But we all recognize that we need safer ways to prevent the rejection process without the side effects," Shapiro said.

Other sources: 19th International Congress of The Transplantation Society