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Actually, there
is some exciting news from researchers
seeking better ways to treat
and, perhaps, ultimately, cure
diabetes. Doctors in Canada
have successfully transplanted
donated islet cells -- the cells
that make insulin -- into patients
with type 1 (juvenile) diabetes,
restoring their ability to produce
insulin. In type 1 diabetes
an autoimmune reaction destroys
these islet cells, cutting off
insulin production. The new
technique is fairly straightforward:
the cells are infused into the
liver through a catheter. Once
in place, they start producing
insulin. This really works and
seems to have cured some patients,
but the first transplants were
performed in 2000 so we don't
yet know how long they will
last. Some of the patients have
required additional infusions.
And of the 36 patients in the
first group, the procedure did
not work for six. Those who
did benefit must take immunosuppressive
drugs for the rest of their
lives to prevent rejection of
the transplanted cells.
Much work remains to be done
before islet cell transplants
become widely available. We
need to know how long the transplants
last and what the long-term
effects of the immunosuppressive
drugs will be. Another problem:
a shortage of donated organs
from which to extract the cells.
You may be aware that embryonic
stem cell research could eventually
yield a cure for type 1 diabetes.
These cells have the ability
to grow into other types of
cells. This line of research
focuses on turning stem cells
into insulin-producing cells,
which then could be implanted
in diabetes patients, thus eliminating
the need for injections. Unfortunately,
the issue of stem cell research
has become politically controversial
although a recent Harris poll
showed that Americans favor
pursuit of this promising approach
by a majority of more than six
to one. If you wish to register
your opinion, write to your
representative in Congress,
your Senators or to the White
House. For information on efforts
to persuade Congress and the
President to fund embryonic
stem-cell research, log on to
the Juvenile Diabetes Research
Foundation's Web site.
-Andrew Weil, MD
Last Reviewed: November 2004 |
