Islet Autotransplantation After Distal Pancreatectomy for Pancreatic Trauma

Expanding indications for pancreatic islet cell transplantation

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

We aimed to summarize the current state of performing pancreatic islet autotransplantation (IAT) for indications other than total pancreatectomy for chronic pancreatitis.

RECENT FINDINGS

The current article will review expanded indications for IAT including partial pancreatectomy for benign inflammatory disease, trauma, pancreatic islet cell tumor and pancreatic adenocarcinoma. In the context of more access for IAT as more centers are offering this clinical service, these expanded indications will continue to push the limits of our ability to make IAT accessible.

SUMMARY

Pancreatic islet cell transplantation is increasingly being used for new indications related to benign disease and malignancy. We expect continued expansion of its use as IAT becomes more accessible.

Autologous islet transplantation in patients requiring pancreatectomy for neoplasm

Autologous islet cell transplantation is a procedure performed to prevent or reduce the severity of diabetes after pancreatic resection. Autologous islet cell transplantation is being used almost exclusively in patients undergoing pancreatectomy because of painful, chronic pancreatitis, or multiple recurrent episodes of pancreatitis that is not controlled by standard medical and surgical treatments. Here, we discuss the possibility of extending the clinical indications for this treatment on the basis of our experience in patients undergoing pancreatic surgery for both nonmalignant and malignant diseases, including patients undergoing completion pancreatectomy because of anastomosis leakage after pancreaticoduodenectomy and those with pancreatic anastomosis deemed at high risk for failure.

Total pancreatectomy with islet cell auto-transplantation: update and outcomes from major centers

OPINION STATEMENT

Chronic pancreatitis is the result of irreversible damage to pancreatic acinar cells, and can result in debilitating chronic pain for patients. Treatment centers on pain relief, often with chronic narcotic use. Surgical therapy consists of both resection procedures to remove affected pancreatic parenchyma and drainage procedures to facilitate drainage of the main pancreatic duct. Total pancreatectomy historically was utilized in extreme cases due to the brittle glucose control that followed from the total loss of islet cells. Total pancreatectomy with islet cell auto-transplantation (TP-AIT) is gaining in popularity due to the maintenance of beta cell mass and the ability of patients to potentially be insulin independent post-operatively. TP-AIT is very helpful in the treatment of pain for patients with chronic pancreatitis. The overall majority of patients have an improvement in pain and quality-of-life scores. AIT also allows the majority of patients to have minimal insulin requirements post-operatively. With proper patient selection, these outcomes can be achieved.

Autologous islet cell transplantation to prevent surgical diabetes

Autologous islet transplantation (AIT) is performed to prevent surgical diabetes after total or semi-total pancreatectomy for the treatment of chronic pancreatitis with severe abdominal pain. In addition, AIT is used in cases of benign pancreatic tumors and pancreatic trauma. It has been shown that AIT results in better outcomes in terms of glycemic control compared with allogeneic islet transplantation. The reasons for the favorable outcomes of AIT are thought to be: (i) patients have no autoimmune diseases; (ii) the transplanted islets do not suffer allogeneic rejection; (iii) diabetogenic antirejection drugs are not required; (iv) pancreata do not undergo a cytokine storm as a result of periods of brain death; (v) the period of cold preservation of retrieved pancreata is short; (vi) the isolated islets are immediately transplanted without culture; and (vii) pancreata with pancreatitis may contain more progenitor cells. Further research into AIT would help improve the results of allogeneic islet transplantation. Conversely, the technical difficulties associated with islet isolation appear to be the largest hurdle for AIT; therefore, remote center islet isolation may prove to be key in the promotion of this treatment.