Purity of islet preparations and 5-year metabolic outcome of allogenic islet transplantation

Abstract

In allogenic islet transplantation (IT), high purity of islet preparations and low contamination by nonislet cells are generally favored. The aim of the present study was to analyze the relation between the purity of transplanted preparations and graft function during 5 years post-IT. Twenty-four patients with type 1 diabetes, followed for 5 years after IT, were enrolled. Metabolic parameters and daily insulin requirements were compared between patients who received islet preparations with a mean purity <50% (LOW purity) or ≥50% (HIGH purity). We also analyzed blood levels of carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9)—a biomarker of pancreatic ductal cells—and glucagon, before and after IT. At 5 years, mean hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c levels) (P =.01) and daily insulin requirements (P =.03) were lower in the LOW purity group. Insulin independence was more frequent in the LOW purity group (P