PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Pancreas transplantation provides the only proven method to restore long-term normoglycemia in patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Although many studies describe the most important risk factors for short-term survival of a pancreas transplant, more information about factors that distinguish short-term from long-term graft function is needed. RECENT FINDINGS: Analysis of 21 328 pancreas transplants from the International Pancreas Transplant Registry, performed from 1984 to 2009 (minimum 5-year follow-up), shows a significant improvement in long-term patient survival and pancreas graft function. Total 5-and 10-year pancreas graft function rates are 73 and 56%, respectively, for simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplants; 64 and 38%, respectively, for pancreas after kidney; and 53 and 36%, respectively, for pancreas transplants alone. The most influential period is the first year posttransplant. Recipients who reach this time point with a functioning graft have a much higher probability for excellent long-term graft function. Important factors influencing long-term function were features that described the quality of the deceased donor. Pancreas transplants in younger, high panel reactive antibody, or African-American recipients also showed an increased risk of early graft failure. Anti-T-cell induction therapy had a significant impact on long-term survival in solitary transplants. SUMMARY: With careful recipient and donor selection and close follow-up in the first year posttransplant, not only good short-term but also long-term pancreas graft function and, therefore, durable metabolic control can be achieved for the diabetic patient.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Pancreas transplantation provides the only proven method to restore long-term normoglycemia in patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Although many studies describe the most important risk factors for short-term survival of a pancreas transplant, more information about factors that distinguish short-term from long-term graft function is needed. RECENT FINDINGS: Analysis of 21 328 pancreas transplants from the International Pancreas Transplant Registry, performed from 1984 to 2009 (minimum 5-year follow-up), shows a significant improvement in long-term patient survival and pancreas graft function. Total 5-and 10-year pancreas graft function rates are 73 and 56%, respectively, for simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplants; 64 and 38%, respectively, for pancreas after kidney; and 53 and 36%, respectively, for pancreas transplants alone. The most influential period is the first year posttransplant. Recipients who reach this time point with a functioning graft have a much higher probability for excellent long-term graft function. Important factors influencing long-term function were features that described the quality of the deceased donor. Pancreas transplants in younger, high panel reactive antibody, or African-American recipients also showed an increased risk of early graft failure. Anti-T-cell induction therapy had a significant impact on long-term survival in solitary transplants. SUMMARY: With careful recipient and donor selection and close follow-up in the first year posttransplant, not only good short-term but also long-term pancreas graft function and, therefore, durable metabolic control can be achieved for the diabeticpatient.
Authors: Rachele Ciccocioppo; Claudia C Dos Santos; Daniel C Baumgart; Giuseppina C Cangemi; Vincenzo Cardinale; Carolina Ciacci; Paolo De Coppi; Debashis Haldar; Catherine Klersy; M Cristina Nostro; Michael Ott; Lorenzo Piemonti; Alice A Tomei; Basak Uygun; Stefania Vetrano; Giuseppe Orlando Journal: Cytotherapy Date: 2018-02-15 Impact factor: 5.414