Researchers from the University of Alberta in Edmonton report continued encouraging results from a trial that involves transplanting pancreatic islet cells into patients with juvenile, or Type I, diabetes.

Interest in the University of Alberta technique exploded last year when the Canadian researchers reported unprecedented success in transplanting islets -- insulin-producing cells in the pancreas -- that in the past have proven immensely difficult to keep functioning for a significant period following transplant.

The researchers reported at the scientific meeting Transplant 2001 that of the 16 diabetes patients treated, the procedure has now allowed 12 to remain free of the need to take insulin shots for up to two years.

Only a few research centers in this country have begun attempting to replicate the Edmonton trial. Researchers at the National Institutes of Health, the University of Miami and the University of Minnesota all have reported initial success on the handful of patients they have treated so far.

Hundreds more patients are expected to receive islet transplants in the next few months as the NIH starts a multi-center trial to attempt to replicate the University of Alberta success.