New Diabetes Research

Some promising new research is making headway in the fight against diabetes.

NBC's doctor Kevin Soden explains.

TYPE-1 DIABETES IS A LIFE THREATENING ILLNESS IN WHICH THE BODY DESTROYS ISLET CELLS IN THE PANCREAS. THESE ARE THE CELLS THAT MAKE INSULIN.

WITHOUT THEM THE BODY IS UNABLE TO USE BLOOD SUGAR. THAT'S WHY PEOPLE WITH TYPE-1 DIABETES HAVE TO TAKE INSULIN.

BUT NOW, SCIENTISTS ARE EXPLORING A NEW WAY TO FIGHT THE DISEASE THAT WOULD ELIMINATE THE NEED FOR THAT INSULIN.

THE NEW TECHNIQUE IS CALLED ISLET CELL TRANSPLANTATION. IT WORKS BY TAKING INSULIN-PRODUCING ISLET CELLS FROM THE PANCREAS OF A DONOR THEN INJECTING THEM INTO THE LIVER OF A DIABETIC PATIENT.

SINCE THESE CELLS HELP THE BODY MAKE ITS OWN INSULIN, DOCTORS HOPE THEY WILL TAKE THE PLACE OF INSULIN INJECTIONS.

Dr. Kandeel: "Islet transplantation is a method by which we isolate the cells that produce insulin in the pancreas of a donor and inject them into the liver of the recipient. Those newly-injected islets will sense the recipient's body requirement of insulin and produce it on demand. And that will make the patient self-sustained with insulin.'

THE ISLET CELL TRANSPLANT STUDY IS TAKING PLACE AT TEN CENTERS IN THE U.S.

I'M DOCTOR KEVIN SODEN FOR NBC NEWS.

THE ISLET CELL TRANSPLANTATION RESOURCE CENTERS ARE LOCATED IN THE FOLLOWING CENTERS:

• CITY OF HOPE NATIONAL MEDICAL CENTER AND BECKMAN RESEARCH INSTITUTE (DUARTE, CA)

• COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY, COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS AND SURGEONS (NEW YORK, NY)

• JOSLIN DIABETES CENTER (BOSTON, MA)

• PUGET SOUND BLOOD CENTER (SEATTLE WA)

• UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER (DENVER, CO)

• UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI, (FL)

• UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA (MINNEAPOLIS)

• UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA (PHILADELPHIA)

• UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE, (MEMPHIS)

• WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY (ST. LOUIS, MO)