New Trial Opens Islet Cell Transplants to People with Type 1 Diabetes and Kidney Disease

People with type 1 diabetes who also have chronic kidney disease have historically been left out of islet cell transplant research. The reason is straightforward: the immunosuppressant drugs traditionally used to prevent transplant rejection can damage the kidneys further—a risk that researchers judged too high for patients whose kidney function was already compromised.

But the need is urgent. Nearly one in three people living with type 1 diabetes develop chronic kidney disease, which increases the risk of kidney failure and complicates diabetes management overall. Until now, treatment options for this group have remained limited.

A new clinical trial funded by Breakthrough T1D is changing that equation. The trial tests islet cell transplantation paired with tegoprubart, an investigational immunosuppression therapy developed by Eledon Pharmaceuticals. The first participant has already received an islet cell transplant, marking the first time this population has been included in islet transplant studies.

What sets this trial apart is the drug used to protect the transplanted cells. Earlier studies show that tegoprubart has fewer and milder side effects than other immunosuppressant regimens—a property that could be especially important for people whose kidneys are already vulnerable.

Islet cell transplantation works by transferring insulin-producing cells from a donor pancreas into a person with type 1 diabetes. These cells can restore the body's ability to produce insulin on its own. However, the immune system naturally tries to reject foreign tissue, so people who receive transplants must take drugs to suppress that immune response. Finding an immunosuppressant that is both effective and gentle on the kidneys has been a major barrier to expanding access.

This trial represents a milestone in cell therapy research for type 1 diabetes. By broadening access to include people with kidney disease, researchers are testing whether islet cell transplantation can be a treatment option for a population that has faced limited choices.

The trial is still in its early stages, and results will take time to emerge. Success would mean that tegoprubart allows people with both type 1 diabetes and chronic kidney disease to benefit from islet cell therapy while minimizing additional kidney damage—something that has not been possible before.

For the type 1 diabetes community, this expansion reflects a growing recognition that research needs to include the full diversity of people living with the condition. People with type 1 diabetes and kidney disease have been historically underrepresented in clinical trials, even though they face compounded health challenges.

Origin: prnewswire.com (News report). Evidence: News report, corroborated with 3 indexed studies. Type1Cure is an information and intelligence hub, not a medical advice service. This article summarizes published research and does not provide diagnosis, treatment, or personal medical guidance. Always talk to your own care team before changing anything about your Type 1 diabetes management.