Lee man's goal to cure diabetes

Infusing pancreatic islet cells from pigs could hold key

By Michelle L. Start

March 12, 2006

U.S. FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION APPROVAL PROCESS • 2007-2008: First set of clinical trials slated to begin. • 2010-2011: Second set of clinical trials slated to begin. A third set of clinical trials may be required. • 2014: Officials hope to have FDA approval and begin applying the treatment. USING PIGS There are not enough organs to go around to all of the people needing transplants on an annual basis. Surgeons have used primates in the past, because they are closely related to humans, but are unable to breed enough animals in captivity to meet the need. Pigs are regarded as the next best source for organs and tissues, although there are still some complications related to rejection by human immune systems.

Diabetes has touched Tom Cartier's life throughout the years.

Thirteen years ago his son, then 10, was diagnosed with the disease. His father-in-law suffered from it for years, had his legs amputated and eventually died of complications.

"I've met hundreds and hundreds of people with diabetes," said Cartier, 55. "It's in my blood now."

Originally from Duluth, Minn., Cartier bought a house in south Fort Myers a few years ago, while his son attended Florida Gulf Coast University, and had planned to retire here.

However, he is now leading the charge -- in conjunction with University of Minnesota Dr. Bernhard Hering -- to find a permanent cure for diabetes.

The pair are expecting to begin clinical trials soon to find out whether pancreatic islet cells from pigs can be successfully infused into humans to cure both type I and type II diabetes.

Hering, a transplant surgeon, has had some success infusing the cells from a cadaver pancreas into diabetes patients in the past.

However, there are more than 20.8 million people with diabetes in the United States. In 2005, there were 1,897 pancreases available for transplantation, according to the United Network for Organ Sharing.

Hering is hoping that by using pig cells, surgeons will be able to meet the demand.

Already, he has been successful in transplanting pig islets into monkeys to cure diabetes.

Before clinical trials can move forward, though, Hering needs an abundant supply of safe, healthy pancreatic islets, which is where Cartier comes in.

He formed a nonprofit company called Spring Point Project to develop facilities where the pigs can be raised.

"For the first set of clinical trials, we are going to need 50 or 60 pigs," Cartier said. "The second set, we'll need a couple hundred. We're trying to figure out how many facilities we are going to need to care for the masses."

He's traveling around the country, asking for financial and land donations. Cartier figures it will cost $20 million to get through clinical trials. He has raised $4 million.

"I want to make sure this area is not left out of the loop," said Cartier, who is hoping Lee County will be able to perform the procedure on diabetic patients by 2014. "It's going to take money to keep it going. Stem cell cures are still 10 to 15 years away. This is the answer right now."

Hering said the procedure will be minimally invasive. The pancreases will be removed from pigs, the islet cells extracted and then diabetic patients will have the cells infused through the portal vein.

The portal vein drains blood for the digestive system and associated glands.

"We will use ultrasound guidance," Hering said. "It will not require hospitalization or anesthesia. It will take 20 to 30 minutes. It will be a cell transplant and not an organ transplant."

Hering wasn't sure whether patients will need multiple procedures, but believes the transfusion is the answer to solving diabetes.

"Long-term success is possible," he said. "Some patients may have to still take small doses of insulin, but the future looks really bright."

Copyright © 2006 The News-Press.

This article posted April 1, 2006.