1. Treating diabetes with islet transplantation: Lessons from the University of Miami
- Author
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Rodolfo Alejandro, Stephanie S. Camhi, Norma S. Kenyon, E. Linetsky, Camillo Ricordi, Ana Alvarez, Nathalia Padilla, and David A. Baidal
- Subjects
Hypoglycemia unawareness ,medicine.medical_specialty ,geography ,geography.geographical_feature_category ,endocrine system diseases ,business.industry ,Hypoglycemia ,medicine.disease ,Islet ,Transplantation ,Quality of life ,Diabetes mellitus ,medicine ,In patient ,Intensive care medicine ,business - Abstract
The Diabetes Research Institute (DRI) at the University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine has been performing clinical islet transplantation (ITx) for select patients with type-1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and hypoglycemia unawareness since 1985. Over these years, the DRI has blossomed into one of the largest independent ITx centers worldwide, spearheading improvements in multiple aspects of islet isolation and transplantation. Our group has also made important strides in the medical management of ITx patients, applying unique aspects of care including adjuvant therapies to sustain islet function, dietetic follow-up during the posttransplant period, and exploration of immunological assays to assist with individualization of immunosuppressive therapy. Overall, our work has demonstrated the ability of ITx to confer improvements in patient quality of life, and additionally provided a foundation to fuel continued efforts to gain governmental approval of ITx as a clinically available therapy for patients with T1DM in the United States.
- Published
- 2020
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