About TRIOMission StatementGroundbreaking Transplant Research May Alleviate Need For Daily Insulin Injections for Millions with DiabetesContact: Kathy Baum - 212-448-4369 Washington, D.C., June 6, 2000 - A new scientific strategy in islet cell transplantation has resulted in immediate and sustained independence from insulin, according to a study by researchers at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada, release today on The New England Journal of Medicine website www.nejm.org. Unlike previous research, a greater number of islet cells were transplanted, transplantation occurred immediately, and patients received a steroid-free immunosuppression regimen of Zenapax (daclizamab), sirolimus and tacrolimus. In the past, conventional anti-rejection therapy with cyclosporine and steroids was suspected of damaging the islets and hindering the effectiveness of the procedure. In islet cell transplantation, insulin-producing cells from the pancreas are transplanted into patients whose pancreases do not naturally produce insulin. Thus, this advanced protocol may alleviate the need for multiple daily insulin injections and the long-term debilitating effects of diabetes for millions. "These preliminary results are very exciting for people with diabetes," said , executive director of Transplant Recipients International Organization, Inc. (TRIO). "This new transplant procedure holds great promise for patients to avoid such life-threatening complications due to diabetes such as kidney failure, blindness, and amputations." Researchers announced today that seven people with type 1 diabetes mellitus arrained and sustained independence from insulin and all remain off insulin currently with a median follow-up of 11.9 months, (range, 4.4 to 14.9) with no episodes of acute cellular rejection. All seven patients required more than one islet transplant procedure before becoming insulin independent and have had no further episodes of hypoglycemia after transplantation. To reduce the risk of sytomegalovirus (CMV) free, even though four people were considered high-risk for the disease. TRIO is an independent, not-for-profit, international organization committed to improving the quality of life of transplant candidates, recipients, their families and the families of organ and tissue donors. Through the TRIO Headquarters and a network of chapter. TRIO serves its members in the areas of: awareness, support, education, and advocacy. For more information on TRIO, call 800-TRIO-386, or visit http://www.trioweb.org.
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