Islet Cell Transplant Pioneered by Doctors: Lantidra Exoplanet Leads Breakthrough in Diabetes Treatment

First-of-its-Kind Islet Cell Transplant Offers Hope for Brittle Type 1 Diabetes

September 5, 2025

A groundbreaking medical procedure performed at UI Health in Illinois has provided a new option for individuals battling arduous-to-control Type 1 Diabetes. The first islet cell transplant using Lantidra, a recently FDA-approved therapy, has enabled a patient to discontinue daily insulin injections.

The Procedure adn the Patient

On August 26th, Doctors at UI Health successfully completed an islet cell transplant with Lantidra on a 69-Year-Old man from Libertyville, Illinois. This innovative therapy, which received FDA approval in November 2024, is specifically designed for adults with Type 1 Diabetes experiencing meaningful challenges in managing their blood sugar levels, including severe hypoglycemia and an inability to detect drops in blood glucose.

Edward “Ed” Augustin III, the patient, experienced a remarkable turnaround, becoming insulin-independent just one week after the transplant. He described the result as “life-changing,” expressing relief at the prospect of a normal life free from the constraints of daily injections.

Understanding Islet Cell Therapy

Lantidra utilizes pancreatic islet cells, sourced from deceased donors, to restore the body’s ability to regulate blood glucose. These cells, crucial for insulin production, are infused into the patient’s liver. The United Network for Organ Sharing carefully matches donors to recipients. This treatment differs significantly from traditional organ transplants, offering a less invasive approach.

dr. Enrico Benedetti, head of surgery at UI Health, emphasized the significance of this approval. “This is the first time in the United states that an islet transplant was no longer experimental, rather an FDA-approved medical procedure,” he declared. He highlighted the extensive research conducted at the University of Illinois Chicago that contributed to the growth of Lantidra.

Type 1 Diabetes: A Chronic Challenge

Type 1 Diabetes is a chronic autoimmune condition where the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. This necessitates lifelong insulin therapy, typically through injections or an insulin pump.Despite diligent management, individuals with Type 1 Diabetes are at increased risk of severe health complications, including heart disease, kidney failure, blindness, and nerve damage.

according to the National Institutes of Health, over 1.4 million Americans live with Type 1 Diabetes, with an estimated 80,000 suffering from the especially challenging ‘brittle’ form of the disease.

Did You Know? Advances in continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) technology, paired with insulin pump therapy, have significantly improved the quality of life for many individuals with Type 1 Diabetes, but are not always sufficient to control severe hypoglycemia.

Advantages of Lantidra

Dr. Benedetti explained that islet transplantation offers an advantage over whole pancreas transplants, particularly for older patients. “We would never dream of doing a pancreas transplant on someone Ed’s age, as the risks are too great,” he stated. Lantidra involves no surgical risks and allows for a significantly shorter hospital stay – just 24 hours,compared to up to 12 days for an organ transplant.

This isn’t Augustin’s first experience with islet cell transplantation. He previously underwent two triumphant procedures in 2011, achieving 12 years of insulin independence before requiring insulin again in 2023. Dr. Lorenzo Gallon, medical director of UI Health’s abdominal organ transplant program, noted that the transplants have consistently preserved Augustin’s overall health.

Pro Tip: Early intervention with islet cell therapy may help prevent kidney damage often associated with diabetes, especially before the onset of diabetic nephropathy.

The Future of Islet Cell Therapy

Lantidra’s development stemmed from research at the University of Illinois Chicago, led by Dr. josé Oberholzer. The crucial clinical trials supporting the therapy were conducted at UI Health. CellTrans Inc., founded by Dr. Oberholzer, later licensed the clinical data to bring Lantidra to market.

Feature	Traditional Pancreas Transplant	Lantidra (Islet Cell Transplant)
Surgical Risk	high	Minimal
Hospital Stay	7-12 days	24 hours
Age Restrictions	Often limited to younger, healthier patients	Fewer restrictions
Donor Source	Deceased Donor	Deceased Donor

UI Health collaborates with insurers to ensure Lantidra remains accessible to patients who could benefit from this life-altering treatment.

Living with Type 1 Diabetes: Ongoing Research and Management

While Lantidra represents a significant advancement, ongoing research continues to explore new and improved treatments for Type 1 Diabetes. Areas of focus include artificial pancreas systems, immune therapies to prevent autoimmune attacks, and strategies to regenerate insulin-producing cells. Effective diabetes management remains crucial,encompassing blood glucose monitoring,diet,exercise,and regular medical checkups.

Frequently Asked Questions about Islet Cell Transplantation

• What is islet cell transplantation? it is a procedure where insulin-producing cells from a donor pancreas are infused into a patient’s liver.
• Who is a candidate for Lantidra? Adults with Type 1 Diabetes struggling with severe hypoglycemia and hypoglycemia unawareness.
• Is Lantidra a cure for Type 1 Diabetes? While it can lead to insulin independence, it is not considered a definitive cure, and ongoing monitoring is essential.
• What are the risks associated with islet cell transplantation? The risks are relatively low, but can include complications related to the infusion process or the need for immunosuppressant drugs.
• How long does the benefit of islet cell transplantation last? The duration of insulin independence varies, but can last for several years, as demonstrated by the patient’s prior experiences.
• What is the role of the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) in Lantidra? UNOS manages the donor matching process to ensure a suitable match is found.

What are your thoughts on this new advancement in Type 1 Diabetes treatment? Share your outlook in the comments below!

What are the long-term effects of immunosuppressant drugs used in lantidra treatment?

Understanding Islet Cell Transplantation & Type 1 Diabetes

For individuals living with Type 1 diabetes, managing blood glucose levels is a constant challenge. Unlike Type 2 diabetes, where the body doesn’t effectively use insulin, Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition where the body doesn’t produce insulin at all. This necessitates lifelong insulin therapy – injections or pump infusions – to survive. Islet cell transplantation offers a potential path towards insulin independence, and recent advancements, especially with Lantidra (donislecel), are revolutionizing the field. This treatment focuses on replacing the damaged insulin-producing cells.

what are Islet Cells and Why are They Important?

Islet cells, specifically beta cells, reside within the pancreas and are responsible for producing insulin. In Type 1 diabetes, these cells are destroyed by the immune system. The goal of islet cell transplantation is to provide a new source of functional beta cells,allowing the body to regulate blood sugar naturally.

Beta Cells: Produce insulin in response to glucose.

Alpha Cells: Produce glucagon, wich raises blood sugar.

Delta Cells: Produce somatostatin, regulating insulin and glucagon.

PP Cells: Produce pancreatic polypeptide, influencing appetite and digestion.

Healthy islet function is crucial for glucose metabolism and overall metabolic health. Loss of these cells leads to the hallmark symptoms of Type 1 diabetes: hyperglycemia (high blood sugar),frequent urination,excessive thirst,and fatigue.

Lantidra (donislecel): A Game Changer in Islet Transplantation

Lantidra, developed by Vertex Pharmaceuticals, represents a notable leap forward in islet transplantation. Unlike previous methods relying on deceased donor pancreases, Lantidra utilizes stem cell-derived islet cells. These cells are created in a lab from stem cells, offering a potentially unlimited supply.

How Lantidra Works: The Exoplanet Procedure

The procedure, often referred to as the “Exoplanet” procedure, involves:

1. Stem Cell sourcing: Stem cells are derived and differentiated into functional islet cells.
2. Immunosuppression: Patients undergo a regimen of immunosuppressant drugs to prevent rejection of the transplanted cells. This is a critical component of any transplant procedure.
3. Transplantation: the islet cells are infused into the liver via the portal vein. The liver provides a supportive environment for the cells to engraft and begin producing insulin.
4. Monitoring & Adjustment: Close monitoring of blood glucose levels and immunosuppressant medication adjustments are essential post-transplant.

Benefits of Stem Cell-Derived Islet Transplantation with Lantidra

reduced Reliance on Insulin: Many patients have achieved significant reductions in their daily insulin requirements, and some have even become insulin-independent.

Improved Glycemic Control: More stable blood sugar levels lead to fewer complications associated with diabetes, such as nerve damage (neuropathy), kidney disease (nephropathy), and eye damage (retinopathy).

Potential for Long-term Solution: Stem cell-derived islet cells offer the promise of a durable, long-term solution for Type 1 diabetes, unlike temporary solutions.

Addressing Donor Shortage: Overcomes the limitations of relying solely on deceased donor organs,expanding access to this life-changing treatment.

Lantidra: Clinical Trial Results & FDA Approval

The pivotal clinical trial data for Lantidra demonstrated remarkable results. A significant percentage of patients treated with Lantidra achieved insulin independence, maintaining stable blood glucose levels without the need for exogenous insulin.

In October 2023, the FDA approved Lantidra, marking a historic moment in diabetes treatment. This approval signifies the culmination of years of research and development and offers new hope to millions living with Type 1 diabetes.

Immunosuppression: A Necessary Component

While Lantidra offers incredible promise, it’s crucial to understand the role of immunosuppressant drugs. The body’s immune system will naturally attack foreign cells, including the transplanted islet cells.Immunosuppressants are vital to prevent rejection, but they come with their own set