Clinical islet transplantation: Current progress and new frontiers

Islet transplantation (IT) is now a robust treatment for selected patients with type 1 diabetes suffering from recurrent hypoglycemia and impaired awareness of hypoglycemia. A global soar of clinical islet transplant programs attests to the commitment of many institutions and researchers to advance IT as a potential cure for this devastating disease. However, many challenges limiting the widespread applicability of clinical IT remain. In this review, we will touch on the milestones in the history of IT and its path to clinical success, discuss the current challenges around IT, propose some possible solutions, and elaborate on the frontiers envisioned in the future of clinical IT. Islet transplantation has progressed substantially in the last two decades and is now an effective therapy for selected patients with type 1 diabetes. Marfil‐Garza and colleagues review the milestones in the path to clinical success, discuss current challenges and solutions, and elaborate on the frontiers envisioned for the future of islet transplantation.