Islet Transplant

The Islet Cell Transplantation program is dedicated to the treatment of patients with insulin-resistant diabetes through cell (islet) replacement therapy.

How It Works
Islets are cell clusters within the pancreas that are responsible for the control of blood sugar levels.  Islets are isolated from a human donor pancreas by an expert team in a state-of-the-art islet isolation facility.  The islets are evaluated and only those that meet quality standards are transplanted into the patient.  The patient receives the islets through injection via catheter into the portal vein of the liver.  The islets are infused (or transplanted) into small vessels of the liver where they become embedded and release insulin to control blood sugar levels.

Clinical Trial
The University of Illinois Medical Center at Chicago has started a new clinical study of pancreatic islet cell transplantation with an expert team of physicians, surgeons, diabetologists, and immunologists.  This program offers new opportunities for the treatment of insulin-resistant and surgically induced (after pancreas removal) diabetes.  Following the success of an Edmonton, Canada group, it is hoped that islet cell transplantation will be the next major breakthrough in diabetes treatment.   Our Medical Center is the first in the United States to conduct phase 3 trials in islet cell transplantation. 

Our knowledgeable and caring staff has great experience in islet isolation, islet transplantation and patient care.  If you are interested in becoming a patient in our islet program, please contact our Clinical Coordinator, Joan Martellotto, RN, PhD, for the Islet Cell Transplantation Program at 312-996-6087 or jmartell@uic.edu.

For Patients Having Juvenile Diabetes

If you suffer from juvenile diabetes and are interested in being a candidate for this procedure, you may contact the diabetologist, Dr. Betul Hatipoglu at (312) 996-6060.