Federal Grant Award Summary

The University of Minnesota received a $308,000 Project Grant from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) under the Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases Extramural Research program (CFDA 93.847), awarded February 1, 2026, with completion targeted for December 31, 2028. This pilot clinical trial investigates the efficacy and safety of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor (SGLT2i) therapy in islet autotransplant recipients with partial islet function. The research directly addresses a significant clinical gap, as approximately 70% of total pancreatectomy with islet autotransplantation (TPIAT) patients require exogenous insulin despite retaining some endogenous islet function, with progressive loss of islet viability over time in both autografts and allografts.

The study rationale centers on SGLT2i's mechanism of reducing blood glucose through increased glucosuria without directly stimulating islet beta cells or depending on insulin resistance, thereby minimizing metabolic stress on transplanted islets. Additionally, SGLT2i has demonstrated effectiveness in reducing prandial glucose excursions in both Type 1 Diabetes and total pancreatectomy patients, which may further reduce beta-cell metabolic burden. The research deliverables will include preliminary efficacy and safety data on SGLT2i therapeutic intervention in the islet autotransplant population, providing critical evidence to support potential adjunctive therapies for improving glycemic control and graft survival outcomes in islet transplantation.