Northwestern Memorial Hospital offers one of the premier centers in the exciting new field of islet cell transplantation. Islet cell transplantation is an experimental therapy for treating diabetes in select patients through the infusion of insulin producing islets that replace the defective islets in patients with diabetes using a minimally invasive radiologic technique that avoids conventional surgery.
As required, Northwestern Memorial performs islet transplants under rigorous study protocols that include:
In 1996 Northwestern Memorial performed the first islet cell transplant in Illinois. Islet Cell transplantation is being performed for patients with type 1 diabetes in conjunction with the Hospitals National Institutes of Health (NIH) supported General Clinical Research Center. Active enrollment of patients is ongoing for two studies supported by the NIH for patients with severe diabetes control problems: islet transplant alone and islet after kidney transplantation.
Islet Transplantation Alone (ITA)
This procedure is for patients with extremely labile diabetes such that routine daily activities are interrupted by episodes of extremely high blood glucose levels resulting in frequent emergency room visits and hospitalizations. Other patients have significant difficulty avoiding and sensing extremely low blood sugar levels, referred to as hypoglycemic unawareness, which results in unconsciousness without the warning.
Islet After Kidney (IAK) Transplantation
This procedure is for patients with type I diabetes and a successful kidney transplant. They are especially appropriate as candidates for a sequential islet transplant procedure because they already receive anti-rejection therapy for the kidney.
Our physicians have pioneered important medical and surgical interventions for the treatment of patients with type 1 diabetes that include:
A Multidisciplinary Approach
Islet transplantation is heralding a new era of cutting edge treatments for treating diabetes. A tightly integrated system of surgical and medical specialistsand outstanding nurses are working in unison to bring the latest technology in cellular therapy, diagnostics and therapeutics to the field of islet transplantation. Northwestern Memorials transplant team works together to bring out the best in patient care.
Contact
Galter Pavilion
675 N. St. Clair Street, Suite 17-200
Chicago, Illinois 60611
(312) 503-1060
