Understanding TPIAT and islet cell therapy

IsleNova provides comprehensive end-to-end islet cell isolation services to support total pancreatectomy with islet autotransplantation (TPIAT). We partner with multi-disciplinary surgical and medical teams at every stage, including candidate evaluation, organ procurement and handling, organ transport, islet cell isolation and purification, return transport to the operating room, and islet cell infusion. Our goal is to deliver a seamless, high-quality experience that allows the clinical team to focus on the patient.

Ideal candidates are patients suffering from chronic pancreatitis who experience debilitating pain and significantly reduced quality of life despite exhausting traditional treatments. Special consideration is given to patients with genetic forms of pancreatitis and younger patients or children with severe disease. Because total pancreatectomy is irreversible, candidates undergo thorough multidisciplinary evaluation to confirm that all other therapeutic options have been exhausted.

The primary goal of TPIAT is to remove the irreversibly damaged pancreas to eliminate debilitating pain while preserving the patient's own islet cells to help maintain blood glucose control. Key benefits include substantial pain relief, reduced dependence on pain medications, lower risk of brittle diabetes, and fewer severe hypoglycemic episodes. Because the procedure uses the patient's own "self" cells, there is no risk of immune rejection. Our role is to support physicians and institutions in delivering this complex procedure so patients can return to their care teams with improved quality of life and renewed health.

The Islets of Langerhans are small endocrine clusters within the pancreas responsible for regulating blood glucose. They contain critical insulin-producing beta cells and glucagon-producing alpha cells. Removing the pancreas eliminates these cells, which can lead to diabetes. While patients can use injected or pumped insulin, the absence of alpha cells increases the risk of dangerous hypoglycemic episodes. Returning the patient's own islets helps preserve natural blood glucose regulation and significantly improves safety and quality of life.

Many patients do achieve insulin independence after TPIAT, but outcomes vary. Success depends on multiple factors, including the extent of disease progression, degree of fibrosis and calcification, parenchymal atrophy, remaining beta cell mass, prior surgeries, and the underlying cause of pancreatitis. Our team focuses on maximizing islet yield, quality, and viability to give each patient the best possible chance of success.