Acceptance of encapsulated porcine islet xenotransplantation by patients and doctors in the US

Introduction

Previously, we performed encapsulated porcine islet xenotransplantation for the treatment of unstable type 1 diabetic patients and demonstrated the clinical benefit and safety in New Zealand and Argentina. Conversely, the treatment of type 1 diabetes differs from country to country; therefore, understanding the acceptance of the new treatment by patients and medical doctors in each country is important. In this study, a survey study of the acceptance of the encapsulated porcine islet xenotransplantation by the type 1 diabetic patients and medical doctors in the US was conducted.

Methods

The questionnaires consisted of the acceptance of the encapsulated porcine islet xenotransplantation without immunosuppression, and the reasons for selecting and not selecting. Moreover, we conducted a sub-analysis among patient groups regarding severe hypoglycemia and HbA1c levels.

Results

The majority of patients and doctors (patients, 63.8%; doctors, 70.0%) had a positive opinion to accept this treatment. A significantly high number of doctors selected no immunosuppression for selecting this treatment (patients, 35.5%; doctors, 53.6%; p < 0.001), and a significantly high number of patients selected not insulin free for not selecting this treatment (patients 20.4%, doctors 12.4%, p < 0.05). The high HbA1c group had the highest ‘definitely’ accept rate, which was significantly higher than those of the other HbA1c groups (High HbA1c group, 50.0%; other HbA1c groups, 22.2%; p < 0.05).

Conclusion

In conclusion, the majority of US patients and doctors had positive opinions to accept the encapsulated porcine islet xenotransplantation. Type 1 diabetic patients with high HbA1c levels had the highest ‘definitely’ acceptance rates.