Pancreatic Islet Transplantation

Addresses the goals of islet transplantation to treat patients, with pancreatic disease, early enough in the disease to prevent or retard the development of complications. Methods that have been developed to alter the immunogenicity of the graft prior to transplantation are detailed.

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This volume addresses the goals of islet transplantation to treat patients, with pancreatic disease, early enough in the course of the disease to prevent or retard the development of complications. Fundamental advances in our understanding of the human immune system, autoimmune disease and the immune rejection process are likely to lead to the means of achieving this goal. Methods that have been developed to alter the immunogenicity of the graft prior to transplantation are detailed. These include organ culture, UV irradiation and pre-treatment with antibodies. This volume also discusses approaches to modulating the immune system of the host, including oral tolerization immunosuppression and islet transplantation to immunoprivileged sites.