Clinical Research Directory

Metabolic Impact of Pancreatic Duct Decompression

This study is a pilot study evaluating the impact of clearing out the pancreatic duct in patients with chronic pancreatitis who have a blockage in their pancreatic duct. While we typically perform procedures with an endoscope (a long flexible tube with a camera that goes through the mouth to reach the small intestine) to relieve a pancreatic duct blockage in patients with chronic pancreatitis who have pain and have a blockage, we do not know how relieving this blockage improves pancreatic function. Therefore, we are performing a preliminary study where participants will be randomized to either receiving an endoscopy or not undergoing an endoscopy. This will provide some background data to help inform us whether we should perform a larger study in the future to answer this question.

Safety and Efficacy of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Associated With Chronic Pancreatitis Pain

This protocol aims to test whether an infusion of allogeneic bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (BM-MSCs) can reduce pain associated with chronic pancreatitis (CP) and explore potential mechanisms of MSC action.

Scrambler Therapy in Chronic Pancreatitis

The investigators will enroll adults with chronic pancreatitis who have persistent abdominal pain not relieved by standard treatments. This study will test the feasibility and effectiveness of Scrambler Therapy, a non-invasive FDA-cleared device that delivers "non-pain" electrical signals through the skin to retrain the brain's pain perception. Participants will undergo 5-10 treatment sessions and be followed for 3 months with standardized pain scores and quality-of-life assessments. The goal is to generate pilot data to support larger studies of Scrambler Therapy as a novel option for pancreatic pain.

The Natural History of Chronic Pancreatitis

Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is a disease characterized by inflammation and their replacement by fibrotic tissue. The destruction of pancreatic function and structure are the main complications. This retrospective-prospective, multicenter, cohort study was conducted. This study aimed to observe the natural history of CP in China, analyse the risk factors for CP complications, and establish individual predictions.

The Pancreas Interception Center (PIC) for Early Detection, Prevention, and Novel Therapeutics

The long-term goal of our PIC is to develop effective strategies that can be applied clinically at the point-of-care to prevent, intercept, or detect PDAC at an early stage, thereby reducing PDAC burden and saving lives.

Pancreatic Quantitative Sensory Testing (P-QST) to Predict Treatment Response for Pain in Chronic Pancreatitis

Abdominal pain in chronic pancreatitis (CP) affects up to 90% of patients during the course of their disease, and response to currently available therapies is suboptimal and unpredictable. The proposed clinical trial will evaluate the predictive capability of Pancreatic Quantitative Sensory Testing (P-QST) - a novel assessment of neurosensory phenotyping- for improvement in pain in patients with CP who are undergoing medically-indicated invasive treatment with endoscopic therapy or surgery.

Biospecimen Collection to Identify Gene Mutations for High Risk Pancreatic Cancer in Pediatric Patients, INSPPIRE 2 Study

This clinical trial collects blood, saliva, urine, or stool samples to help identify possible genetic mutations that may increase a person's chance at developing pancreatic cancer. Finding genetic markers among pediatric patients with acute recurrent pancreatitis and chronic pancreatitis may help identify patients who are at risk of pancreatic cancer.

Malabsorption Blood Test (MBT) to Determine Exocrine Pancreatic Function and Related Quality of Life in Chronic Pancreatitis

This project uses the Malabsorption Blood Test (MBT) to identify patients with recurrent acute or chronic pancreatitis who have mild to moderate exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. A subgroup of patients who have response to pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy will enter a randomized, placebo-controlled pilot clinical trial for 8 weeks to identify improvements in quality of life (QOL).

QST Study: Predicting Treatment Response in Chronic Pancreatitis Using Quantitative Sensory Testing

Quantitative Sensory Testing (QST) is a novel investigative technique used in other pain conditions to evaluate patterns of chronic pain, and in this study will be used to elucidate pain patterns in patients with Chronic Pancreatitis (CP). QST uses a specific series of standardized stimulations to map the pain system. QST has the potential to change and improve the treatment paradigm for patients with CP and may eventually be able to predict response to invasive CP therapies.

Autologous Mesenchymal Stromal Cells and Islet Co-transplantation in TP-IAT

This is a clinical trial for chronic pancreatitis (CP) patients undergoing total pancreatectomy with islet autotransplantation (TP-IAT). Participants will be randomized to either bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) or control with the standard of care. Participants will be followed for one-year post-transplant.

Evaluation of a Mixed Meal Test for Diagnosis and Characterization and Type 3c Diabetes Mellitus Secondary to Pancreatic Cancer and Chronic Pancreatitis (DETECT)

The Coordinating and Data Management Center (CDMC) at MD Anderson Cancer will be responsible for the coordination and data management for the Evaluation of a mixed meal test for Diagnosis and characterization of Type 3c diabetes mellitus secondary to pancreatic cancer and chronic pancreatitis (DETECT), which is part of the NIH U01 funded Consortium for the Study of Chronic Pancreatitis, Diabetes, and Pancreatic Cancer (CPDPC). Similar to all studies that will be coordinated and managed by the CDMC, no patient enrollment will occur at MDACC. All patient recruitment will occur at external sites that are a part of the CPDPC, which are listed in the appended DETECT protocol. The data management systems, auditing, and monitoring effort are supported by the CDMC.

The Biobank Integrating Longitudinal ERCP Within a Prospective Chronic Pancreatitis Cohort

The Biobank Integrating Longitudinal ERCP within a Prospective Chronic Pancreatitis Cohort (BILE-CP) is a prospective longitudinal cohort study conducted in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China. The study plans to consecutively enroll 1,500 patients with chronic pancreatitis for long-term follow-up (scheduled every 6 months). This cohort encompasses patients across the entire disease course of chronic pancreatitis, with a particular focus on and in-depth tracking of a sub-cohort of patients undergoing ERCP treatments. During baseline and follow-up visits, researchers will collect multidimensional data from participants, including sociodemographics, diet and lifestyle, emotional status and sleep quality, clinical phenotypes and disease characteristics, ERCP intervention details, clinical laboratory and imaging examinations, continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), and traditional Chinese medicine indicators. Concurrently, multi-site biological samples will be collected, including but not limited to blood, feces, bile, saliva, tongue coating, and urine.

Simvastatin Treatment to Improve Patient-reported Outcomes in Patients With Chronic Pancreatitis

The purpose of this pilot study to examine the feasibility and acceptability of simvastatin in adults with Recurrent Acute Pancreatitis (RAP) and Chronic Pancreatitis (CP).

VR Pilot for Pancreatitis

The purpose of the research is to test the feasibility and preliminary impact of a home-based, standardized, gut-directed, virtual reality cognitive behavioral therapy (VR CBT) on clinical and functional outcomes of patients with chronic pancreatitis (CP) pain. The primary research procedures are questionnaires and biometric Fitbit data. The study will enroll adult patients with CP.

A PiLot ClinicaL TrIal of ParicAlcitol for ChroNiC PancrEatitis

The purpose of this pilot study to examine the feasibility and acceptability of paricalcitol in adults with Chronic Pancreatitis (CP).

Internet-Delivered Pain Self-Management for Persons With Acute Recurrent and Chronic Pancreatitis Pain

Severe and disabling abdominal pain is common in individuals with chronic pancreatitis. Although pain is associated with reduced quality of life and high economic and societal costs, there are limited effective options for pain management in this population. This study proposes an evidence-based psychological intervention approach using an internet-delivered pain self-management program to minimize the impact of pain and improve quality of life. The ultimate goal is to maximize the public health impact of the intervention with successful implementation and dissemination to pancreas clinics and to the community.

Neural Sensitisation and Neuropsychological Alterations in Painful Chronic Pancreatitis

Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is a progressive inflammatory disease in which chronic abdominal pain affects up to 80% of patients and remains difficult to manage despite treatment of pancreatic pathology. Increasing evidence suggests that persistent pain is not solely driven by peripheral pancreatic abnormalities but also by central sensitization, involving maladaptive changes in central nervous system pain-processing pathways. While altered brain connectivity and neurochemical changes have been demonstrated in other chronic pain disorders, these mechanisms remain poorly characterized in CP. This study aims to integrate clinical phenotyping with blood-based metabolite profiling and advanced neuroimaging, including resting-state functional MRI and magnetic resonance spectroscopy, to investigate the relationship between central sensitization, brain dysfunction, and neuropsychological alterations. The findings may identify objective neurobiological markers of pain and facilitate the development of mechanism-based, personalized treatment strategies for patients with chronic pancreatitis.

EUS Procedures Using RIVOS™ EUS Access Device

This is a prospective study of patients undergoing EUS procedures using the RIVOS™ EUS access device.

A Study Of Effect Of Secretin For In Injection (Chirostim) On Pancreatic Fluid Composition In Healthy Subjects

The purpose of this study is to collect pancreas fluid from the duodenum using the endoscopic pancreas function collection method in healthy participants after pancreatic stimulation with human secretin.

Exocrine-Endocrine Pancreatic Crosstalk: Precision Pathways to Reframe Diabetes Pathophysiology

The EXPAND study is a prospective observational study designed to investigate the biological mechanisms underlying the heterogeneity of type 2 diabetes and related metabolic disorders. The study will enroll adults with and without pancreatic disease, including patients undergoing pancreatic surgery, individuals with chronic pancreatitis, subjects at high risk of type 2 diabetes, and patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes. Clinical, metabolic, imaging, genetic, microbiome, and molecular data will be integrated to identify distinct metabolic endotypes and to investigate the interactions between the exocrine pancreas, endocrine pancreas, and adipose tissue. The ultimate goal is to improve the understanding of diabetes pathophysiology and support the development of precision medicine approaches.

STTEPP: Safety, Tolerability and Dose Limiting Toxicity of Lacosamide in Patients With Painful Chronic Pancreatitis

The investigators propose to conduct a dose-escalation trial of an FDA-approved antiepileptic drug, lacosamide, added to opioid therapy in patients with chronic abdominal pain from chronic pancreatitis (CP). This pilot trial will test the feasibility of the study design and provide reassurance regarding the tolerability and safety of lacosamide used concomitantly with opioids in this patient population to reduce the condition known clinically as opioid-induced hyperalgesia (OIH).

Immune Repertoire Decoding for Chronic Pancreatitis-to-Pancreatic Cancer Risk Stratification

This study will follow people with chronic pancreatitis, people with pancreatic cancer, and healthy volunteers. The goal is to better understand why some people with chronic pancreatitis may later develop pancreatic cancer. Participants will provide blood samples and health information. Some participants may also provide tissue samples if these are available during routine medical care. The study team will look for changes in the immune system, genes, medical images, and clinical information that may be linked to the development of pancreatic cancer. People with chronic pancreatitis will be followed over time. The information collected in this study may help researchers develop a model to identify patients with chronic pancreatitis who have a higher risk of pancreatic cancer.

Validation of the Odesa Criteria 2026 for Autoimmune Pancreatitis

This ambispective observational study aims to validate the Odesa Criteria 2026 (OC26), a flexible domain-based point scoring system for diagnosing autoimmune pancreatitis. The study evaluates diagnostic accuracy and reproducibility of OC26 across clinical, serological, morphological, and histological domains.

Palatable Elemental Diet for Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Chronic Pancreatitis

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether a 2-week exclusive palatable elemental diet is feasible, tolerable, and acceptable for adults with chronic pancreatitis and bothersome gastrointestinal symptoms. An elemental diet is a nutritionally complete formula made from ingredients that are easy to absorb. The main questions it aims to answer are whether participants can complete the diet as planned, and whether they can take in most of the prescribed formula, and how acceptable the study diet is to participants at the end of the 2-week diet period.