Long-term survival of human fetal pancreatic tissue transplanted into an insulin-dependent diabetic patient.

The explants of two human fetal pancreases of 15 weeks gestational age were cultured for 6-7 days before being implanted in a 29-year-old insulin-dependent diabetic woman who had received a renal graft two months previously. One pancreas was placed in the flexor muscles of the forearm whilst the other was implanted in an omental pouch. To reduce the chances of rejection the tissue was cultured in vitro, the donor of the tissue placed in the forearm was DR antigen matched with the recipient and the patient remained on cyclosporin and prednisone therapy. At 3 months a mass developed in the forearm muscle at the site of transplantation, and continued to grow. Biopsy at 13 months showed a small area of original pancreas surrounded by a large collection of mature lymphocytes and fibrous tissue. A and D cells could be seen around pancreatic ducts but B cells and acinar tissue were absent. At no stage during follow-up was plasma C-peptide detected in the recipient.