How to participate in our clinical trials
All clinical trials at the Schulze Diabetes Institute at the University of Minnesota have inclusion and exclusion criteria. These are the medical or social standards that determine whether a person may or may not be allowed to enter a clinical trial. These criteria are based on such factors as age, gender, the type and stage of disease, previous treatment history, and other medical conditions. It is important to note that inclusion and exclusion criteria are not used to personally reject people. Instead, they identify potential subjects and keep them safe.

Inclusion Criteria
In order to qualify for an islet transplant trial at the University of Minnesota, you must meet the following criteria:

• Have  had Type 1 Diabetes for more than five years
• Be age 18 to 68
• Be checking blood sugar at least three times per day
• Be administering at least three insulin injections per day, or using an insulin pump
• Have a  complication from diabetes, (such as not having warning symptoms when blood sugar is low)
• Have seen a diabetes care team at last three times in the last year

If your application demonstrates that you meet these criteria, we will contact you. At that point, we may conduct additional screening to further determine your eligibility. If you are interested in becoming a possible participant call: 612-626-3016 or email us at dittinfo@umn.org

Exclusion Criteria
Any of the following situations will exclude you from being able to participate in an islet transplant trial at the University of Minnesota at this time:

•  Females who are currently pregnant, intend to become  pregnant, or are presently breast-feeding
• Males who intend to father children
• Have an active or past infection with hepatitis C, hepatitis B, HIV, or TB (or under treatment for suspected TB)
• Have any history of cancer except for adequately treated skin cancer
• Have had a heart attack within the past 6 months or extensive coronary artery disease
• Are under treatment for a medical condition requiring chronic use of steroids such as prednisone

Please do not be discouraged if you do not currently meet these criteria. We are working to expand the criteria so that in the future everyone with type 1 diabetes can benefit from an islet transplant, if they are eligible and wish to do so.

If you are not eligible to participate in an islet transplant clinical trial, you may want to consider getting a pancreas transplant.