First Type 1 Patient Injected with Pig Islet Cells

Thursday June 14, 2007

According to a press release from LCT (Living Cell Technologies) the first type 1 diabetes patient was injected successfully with porcine pancreatic islet cells. The product is called Diabecell and is being tested at the Sklifasovsky Institute in Moscow in the world's first human clinical trials. Professor Bob Elliott, is LCT’s Medical Director. He developed the technology and was present at the first transplant.

The cells, derived from pigs, are encapsulated in a protective coating that stops the body's immune system from rejecting them, and still allows insulin to be secreted into the blood to lower blood glucose levels. The scientists used special biocertified Auckland Island boars for the cell transplants, such as "Rocky", the boar in the photo.

The trial will involve 6 adults who have had type 1 diabetes for at least 10 years. They will have the cells transplanted into the peritoneal cavity which is located in the abdomen. A second transplant will take place in six months. Transplanting the cells is done with laproscopy, a minimally invasive technique. The first of the six patients was succesfully injected with the cells today.

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease where the body attacks and destroys the pancreatic cells responsible for producing insulin. The only treatment available for people who suffer from type 1 diabetes, is daily insulin injections.

LCT hopes that their new cell implantation technology will someday be able to help type 1 diabetics live a normal life without having to inject insulin everyday.