Development of insulinoma cells for treatment of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus

In healthy persons insulin secreting beta-cells of the pancreas regulate bl ood glucose levels within a narrow physiological range. Since the detection of insulin in 1922 by Banting and Best, subcutaneous insulin replacement h as remained the sole treatment modality for insulin-dependent diabetes mell itus (IDDM). However, even trained patients undergoing intensive insulin th erapy fail to achieve normal function of the pancreatic beta-cells. one app roach to solve this problem is pancreas and islet cell transplantation. Bec ause of technical problems, limited number of transplantable organs and tox icity of immunosuppressive therapy, both are still in an experimental state . An alternative approach is the development of genetically modified insuli n secreting cell lines for replacement of islet cells. So far, experiments support the expectation to develop genetically manipulated cell lines who i mitate the function of islet beta-cells and are protected from the immune r esponse. The ultimate goal is the development of an engineered human beta-c ell line and, after animal experiments, to use it for treatment of patients with IDDM.