Islet Transplant

The transplant of Islets of Langerhans, the insulin-producing cells, as a treatment for Type 1 diabetes is not exactly a novelty. Over 450 islet transplants have been carried out in the world, the vast majority over the last 10 years. The success rate for this procedure used to be very small, with only 8% of patients being able to discontinue insulin use after a year.

In 1989 the Alberta University group performed the first islet transplants in Canada in Type 1 patients, while simultaneously performing a kidney transplant. These transplants did not succeed in giving the patients long-term insulin independence.

In 1999, the same research group started a new series of islet transplants in diabetic patients who did not need further organ transplants, but who presented serious problems as a consequence of diabetes. The results of such transplants have been promissing. Patients have reached the 1 year follow-up period free of insulin injections.

Considering the success of this treatment and thinking about the well being of our patients, the Pro-Renal Foundation, in partnership with the Secretariat of Science, Technology and Higher Education of the State of Paraná , Brazil , is bringing this technique to Curitiba .

In these pages you will find information on this treatment. We welcome you and hope that you enjoy your visit to our site.