P-226

Setting up a cGMP pancreatic islet processing facility: an experience from Iran

H.R. Aghayan, B. Arjmand, M.M. Amoli, S. Sharghi, B. Larijani
Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Tehran, Iran

It has been predicted that one of the greatest increase in prevalence of diabetes will happen in the Middle East bear in the next decades. The aim of standard therapeutic strategies for diabetes is better control of complications. In contrast, some new strategies like cell and gene therapy have aimed to cure the disease. In recent years, significant progress has occurred in beta-cell replacement therapies with a progressive improvement of short-term and long term outcomes. In year 2005, considering the impact of the disease in Iran and the promising results of the Edmonton protocol, the funding for establishment of a clinical grade islet processing facility by Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center (EMRC) was approved by Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS). Several islet isolations were performed following establishment of current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) facility and recruitment of all required equipments for process validation and experimental purpose. Finally the first successful clinical islet isolation and transplantation was performed in September 2010.In spite of a high cost of the procedure it is considered beneficial and may prevent long term complications and the costs associated with secondary cares. In this article we will briefly describe our experience in setting up a clinical grade islet processing facility which can provide valuable information for regional countries interested to establish similar facilities.

Parallel poster session 5 - Topic: Immunology

P-226

Setting up a cGMP pancreatic islet processing facility: an experience from Iran

H.R. Aghayan, B. Arjmand, M.M. Amoli, S. Sharghi, B. Larijani
Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Tehran, Iran

It has been predicted that one of the greatest increase in prevalence of diabetes will happen in the Middle East bear in the next decades. The aim of standard therapeutic strategies for diabetes is better control of complications. In contrast, some new strategies like cell and gene therapy have aimed to cure the disease. In recent years, significant progress has occurred in beta-cell replacement therapies with a progressive improvement of short-term and long term outcomes. In year 2005, considering the impact of the disease in Iran and the promising results of the Edmonton protocol, the funding for establishment of a clinical grade islet processing facility by Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center (EMRC) was approved by Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS). Several islet isolations were performed following establishment of current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) facility and recruitment of all required equipments for process validation and experimental purpose. Finally the first successful clinical islet isolation and transplantation was performed in September 2010.In spite of a high cost of the procedure it is considered beneficial and may prevent long term complications and the costs associated with secondary cares. In this article we will briefly describe our experience in setting up a clinical grade islet processing facility which can provide valuable information for regional countries interested to establish similar facilities.

Parallel poster session 5 - Topic: Immunology