Visualizing Beta Cells After Islet Transplantation

Visualizing Beta Cells After Intrahepatic Islet of Langerhans Transplantation

In patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) that have undergone islet of Langerhans transplantation or are on the waiting list for transplantation, Ga-68-exendin PET imaging is performed to study the visualization of transplanted islet grafts in patients.

Detecting damage to islets with a reliable imaging technique could be important for improving islet survival after transplantation. This could lead to better patient outcomes which would be of great interest for the treatment of type 1 diabetes. In order to assess the possibility of visualizing transplanted islet grafts with Ga-68-NODAGA-exendin-4 PET, a proof-of -concept study is performed in 10 patients with type 1 diabetes who have undergone intrahepatic islet transplantation with biochemically proven functional islet grafts and 5 patients with type 1 diabetes who are on the waiting list for islet transplantation. The investigators propose to determine the uptake of the radiolabeled tracer and compare it to functionality of the islet grafts. These highly relevant data will provide us with more information on the suitability of GLP-1 receptor imaging for monitoring of transplanted islet mass.

Inclusion Criteria

Tx-group:

• >18 years old
• T1D patient undergone islet transplantation
• Clinically proven functional islet graft
• Signed informed consent

Control group:

• >18 years old
• T1D patients who are on the waiting list for islet transplantation
• Signed informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Treatment with synthetic exendin or Dipeptidyl-Peptidase IV inhibitors within the last 3 months
• Breast feeding
• Pregnancy or the wish to become pregnant within 6 months
• Kidney disease
• Liver disease
• Age <18 years
• No signed informed consent

Exclusion criteria for MR:

• fragments, clips or devices in brain, eyes, spinal canal
• Implantable defibrillator or pacemaker (wires)
• Mandibular magnetic implants
• Neurostimulator, bladder stimulator, non-removable insulin pump
• Metal tissue-expander in chest
• Cochlear implant
• Ossicular replacement prosthesis