Islet alone versus islet after kidney transplantation: metabolic outcomes and islet graft survival.

Background Isolated islet transplantation with infusions from 2-3 donor pancreata and Edmonton immunosuppression consistently achieves insulin independence in patients with type 1 diabetes. The success of this protocol has been attributed to a novel combination of immunosuppressive agents and avoidance of steroids, however, the outcome of islet transplantation may differ in kidney transplant recipients who are already immunosuppressed.