The University of Minnesota team continues to refine TPIAT and pancreatitis care through an active clinical research program.
Some current or recently funded studies include:
Long-Term Islet Function and Impact after Total Pancreatectomy with Islet Autotransplant (LIFT), R01DK126728
Surgical removal of the pancreas with autologous transplantation of the islets (“TPIAT”) relieves the severe unrelenting pain that can result from chronic pancreatitis. The islet autotransplantation portion of the procedure reduces the need for insulin therapy early after the surgery, but little is known about the long-term diabetes outcomes in patients who have had a TPIAT. In this study, we will evaluate how well islets function 5- 20 years after an islet autotransplant, what factors and hormones are important in regulating blood glucose [preventing high and low blood glucose], and whether diabetes complications are reduced by having functioning islets.
Protein biomarkers to predict pain outcomes after total pancreatectomy with islet autotransplant, a follow up study to the multicenter POST study, R01DK138809
In chronic pancreatitis (CP), inflammation and fibrosis of the pancreas lead to significant pain and disability for many affected patients. In the most severely affected patients with CP, the complete removal of the pancreas called total pancreatectomy with islet autotransplantation (“TPIAT”) may be considered but does not always lead to significant pain relief. We will use data and specimens already collected from a rigorous, well-phenotyped, multicenter cohort of TPIAT patients to develop plasma and urine biomarkers that may predict responsiveness (e.g. pain relief) to TPIAT.
iSite: A pilot clinical trial on the efficacy of using the portal vein and omentum for islet transplantation (Department of Defense funded)
Total pancreatectomy with autologous islet transplantation (TPIAT) can provide essential pain relief and restore quality of life for patients with chronic pancreatitis. While some patients achieve insulin independence, their glycemic control and islet cell function decline over time. This clinical trial is examining whether transplanting a portion of islet cells into the omentum can improve islet cell function and improve long-term diabetes control.
University of Minnesota Clinical Center for the Study of Pancreatic Disease, U01DK126300
We are a member of the Chronic Pancreatitis Diabetes Pancreatic Cancer consortium.
University of Minnesota Clinical Center for the Study of Acute Pancreatitis and Diabetes, U01DK127367
We are a member of the Type 1 Diabetes Acute Pancreatitis Consortium (T1DAPC) which follows adults with single episode or recurrent acute pancreatitis for diabetes risk.
Advancing Treatment for Pancreatitis: A Prospective Observational Study of TPIAT (POST), R01DK109124
This is a multicenter collaborative study group to advance total pancreatectomy and islet autotransplantation (TPIAT) in the management of chronic and recurrent acute pancreatitis. The POST study demonstrated robust improvement in quality of life and pain symptoms in nearly 400 patients undergoing TPIAT at 12 centers in the U.S.
