Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, May 14, 1993 TAG: 9305140148
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LOS ANGELES LENGTH: Short
The artificial pancreas was implanted last week in the abdomen of Steven Craig, 38, of Lake Isabella, Calif., who has been diabetic for more than 30 years and has been unable to work for seven years because of complications of the disease. It is the first of 20 such implants The hospital is planning over the next two years.
Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong of St. Vincent and the University of Southern California implanted insulin-secreting islet cells from cadavers. The cells were encapsulated in a porous membrane that keeps them safe from an attack by Craig's immune system.
Soon-Shiong hopes the implanted cells will free Craig from the need for daily insulin shots and prevent progression of his symptoms but noted that it would be months before doctors can assess the implant's value. "This is the very first step on a long, exciting but unexplored road," he said. - Los Angeles Times
by CNB