[Islet transplantation program in Japan].

ABSTRACT

In Japan, pancreas donation had been possible from cadaveric donors, either heartbeating or non-heart beating (NHB) donors. Pancreas allografts were distributed on organ allocation system of Japan Organ Transplant Network. Meanwhile, islet transplantation is categorized as tissue transplantation, and is free from legal restraints. Thus, pancreases for islet isolation should be obtained from NHB donors. Here, we report the starting program and preliminary results of islet transplantation in Japan. Selection and listing criteria for transplantation include regional priority, ABO blood type, previous islet transplant who can be insulin-independent, and a longer waiting time. Five institutes in Japan (Fukushima, Chiba, Kyoto, Kobe, and Fukuoka) are ready to start programs.