Clinical Research Directory

A Prospective Observational Study of TPIAT

Multi-center, prospective, observational cohort study of patients undergoing total pancreatectomy with islet autotransplantation (TPIAT)

Imaging Biomarkers of Pancreatic Function and Disease

This study seeks to understand the performance of MRI to characterize pancreatitis and predict chronic complications (endocrine and exocrine) of pancreatitis. Through multiple aims, the investigators will benchmark MRI against relevant reference standards (e.g. endoscopic pancreatic function tests, laboratory data). The investigators will also characterize repeatability of the imaging findings and will work to develop methods to simplify and automate analysis of the MRI images. Research interventions depend on the Aim(s) participants enroll in but include: endoscopic pancreatic function testing (added on to clinically indicated upper GI endoscopy), blood tests, stool tests, gene sequencing, and survey completion. All participants will undergo research MRI examinations, a subset of which will include administration of intravenous secretin.

Utility of Trypsinogen -2 in Early Detection and Follow Up of Post-pancreatectomy Acute Pancreatitis (PPAP)

The goal of this study is to learn if urine trypsinogen can be used to diagnose post-pancreatectomy acute pancreatitis in patients undergoing pancreatectomy. Participants will have their urine measured by dipsticks during and after their surgery.

ERCP Management in Mild Gallstone-Induced Pancreatitis Patients Declining Subsequent Cholecystectomy : a Randomized Control Trial.

to investigate the role and potential benefits or drawbacks of ERCP with sphincterotomy in patients declining subsequent cholecystectomy for gallstone-induced pancreatitis.

Corticosteroids to Treat Pancreatitis

This research is being done to determine if the administration of a short course of intravenous hydrocortisone, an anti-inflammatory medication, to patients with severe acute pancreatitis will improve their clinical outcomes and decrease the length of hospitalization. We think that because inflammation in the body drives the progression of pancreatitis, giving a short course of intravenous hydrocortisone may mitigate disease progression and improve clinical outcomes in patients with severe acute pancreatitis.

Pancreas Registry and High Risk Registry

The purpose of this study is to establish a registry of patients with pancreatic diseases. Patients included in the registry may include those with: pancreatic cancer, precancerous lesions of the pancreas, inflammatory lesions of the pancreas, cystic lesions of the pancreas, and patients at high-risk of pancreatic cancer such as those with a family history of pancreatic cancer or with a family history of a syndrome known to be associated with pancreatic cancer. Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of death from cancer in the United States. However, little is known about the development of pancreatic cancer and pancreatic diseases in individuals with the above conditions. Knowledge of how family history, environmental exposures, and inflammatory lesion of the pancreas contribute to the development of pancreatic cancer and pancreatic diseases is essential. You may qualify to take part in this research study because you have inflammation in the pancreas, a pancreatic cyst, pre-cancerous lesions of the pancreas, pancreatic cancer, a family history of pancreatic cancer, or a family history of a syndrome known to be associated with pancreatic cancer. We will also be collecting a blood sample from all participants for DNA isolation. Sometimes we are born with genes or DNA that give us an increased or decreased chance of developing an illness later in life. Genetic material will be isolated from your blood for further study. You may also choose to provide additional blood samples for serum and plasma extraction. Serum and plasma are components of the blood which can be used to measure indicators of disease in the blood, called biomarkers,for pancreatic diseases. Clinical data and biological specimens contained in this study may be used for a wide variety of future related studies to the cause, diagnosis, outcome and treatment of pancreatic cancer. Funds for conducting this research are provided by Mount Sinai.

Cold Water Irrigation Therapy as an Adjunct to Indomethacin for Post-Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography(ERCP) Pancreatitis

This study is designed to learn whether rinsing the papilla with cold water at the end of an ERCP procedure, in addition to standard medicine, can help lower the chance of developing pancreatitis, which is the most common major complication after ERCP.

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.

Preventing Postoperative Complications in Patients Undergoing High-risk Pancreatoduodenectomy With a Bundle Approach Including Hydrocortisone, Octreotide, and the Teres Ligament Patch (PANENCA)

The PANENCA trial aims to reduce postoperative complications in patients undergoing pancreatoduodenectomy (also known as a Whipple procedure), a complex surgical operation performed to remove tumors located in or near the head of the pancreas. One of the most frequent and serious complications after this surgery is postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF), a leakage of pancreatic fluid from the surgical connection. POPF can lead to intra-abdominal infection, bleeding, and inflammation, often resulting in delayed recovery and postponement of subsequent oncological treatment. In severe cases, these complications may be life-threatening. Patients with a small main pancreatic duct (3 millimeters or less) are known to have a substantially higher risk of developing POPF. Previous studies have shown that several existing interventions may reduce the risk or severity of these complications. These include hydrocortisone, a medication that suppresses postoperative inflammation; octreotide, a medication that reduces the production of pancreatic secretions; and a surgical technique known as the ligamentum teres hepatis patch, which uses the patient's own tissue to protect nearby blood vessels in the event of a pancreatic leak. Because the development of pancreatic fistulas is multifactorial, the investigators hypothesize that a combined approach targeting different underlying mechanisms may provide a complementary and more effective protective effect than any single intervention alone. The PANENCA trial therefore evaluates whether the combined use of hydrocortisone, octreotide, and the ligamentum teres patch can reduce the rate of major postoperative complications after pancreatoduodenectomy. Patients participating in the study are randomly assigned to receive either the combination treatment in addition to standard perioperative care or standard perioperative care alone. The study medications are administered only during the first postoperative days, and the surgical patch is applied during the operation itself. No additional tests, monitoring procedures, or hospital visits are required beyond routine clinical care. This international, multicenter randomized trial includes patients at high risk for POPF who are undergoing pancreatoduodenectomy. The primary objective is to determine whether the combination treatment reduces the incidence of major postoperative complications. If proven effective, this bundle approach may be implemented more consistently across participating countries and incorporated into international clinical guidelines for pancreatic surgery.

Precise Endoscopic Application of Nitroglycerin in Preventing Post-ERCP Pancreatitis

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is a technically demanding procedure combining endoscopy and fluoroscopy to diagnose and treat pancreaticobiliary disorders such as bile duct stones, strictures, and cholangitis. Despite its therapeutic value, ERCP carries a relatively high complication risk of about 10%, with severe complications occurring in roughly 24% of those affected and mortality rates between 0.2% and 0.7%. The most common and significant complication is post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP), occurring in 2% to 10% of average patients and up to 40% or higher in high-risk groups. PEP ranges from mild, self-limiting inflammation to severe, life-threatening conditions including pancreatic necrosis and multi-organ failure. PEP arises from mechanical trauma, hydrostatic injury, chemical irritation, or infection during ERCP that activates inflammatory pathways within the pancreas. Key patient-related risk factors include young age, female sex, prior pancreatitis, and sphincter of Oddi dysfunction; procedural factors include difficult biliary cannulation, pancreatic duct manipulation, and precut sphincterotomy. Preventive strategies focus on minimizing mechanical injury and pharmacologic prophylaxis. Rectal NSAIDs (indomethacin, diclofenac) administered immediately before ERCP are well-supported for reducing PEP risk. Periprocedural aggressive intravenous hydration and prophylactic pancreatic duct stenting in high-risk cases also lower PEP incidence. Nitroglycerin, a smooth muscle relaxant acting via nitric oxide-mediated sphincter relaxation, has shown promise in PEP prevention, especially in patients contraindicated for NSAIDs. Clinical trials indicate that transdermal or sublingual nitroglycerin reduces PEP rates, and combined use with NSAIDs may enhance protection. However, current guidelines do not routinely recommend nitroglycerin due to limited consensus on its efficacy. Topical nitroglycerin, known to relax smooth muscles locally and used in anorectal conditions, might reduce sphincter of Oddi pressure without systemic side effects. This suggests potential benefit in lowering PEP incidence or severity when applied topically during ERCP, pending further investigation. This study aimed to investigate whether topical delivery of nitroglycerin can reduce the incidence rate of PEP or the severity of pancreatitis.

Indomethacin vs Diclofenac for Preventing PEP

Pancreatitis is the most common and serious complication following post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and is associated with occasional mortality, extended hospital stays, and increased healthcare expenses. Preprocedural administration of rectal non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) was demonstrated to be an effective and convenient strategy for post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP). Furthermore, several meta-analyses found that only 100mg indomethacin and diclofenac could effectively reduce PEP. Therefore, updated international clinical practice guidelines uniformly recommended administration of 100mg indomethacin or diclofenac in patients without contradictions. However, it was unclear which one of the two drug is more superior. A recent meta-analysis suggested 100mg rectal diclofenac was more efficacious than same-dose rectal indomethacin in PEP prevention (relative risk (RR) 0·59, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 0·40-0·89). Based on the results, we conducted a multicenter, double-blind, control trial to investigate whether 100mg diclofenac is superior than same-dose indomethacin. This trial planned to enroll 3612 patients in total. However, in the first interim analysis, PEP occurred in 53 patients (8.8%) of 600 patients allocated to diclofenac group and 37 patients (6.1%) of 604 patients allocated to indomethacin group (relative risk (RR) 1.44; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.96-2.16, p=0.074). Thus, the trial was stopped according to the futility rule of conditional power. However, it was worth noticing that PEP tended to be higher in diclofenac group than that in indomethacin group. A sample size of 1204 was under power to draw the conclusion of significantly lower PEP rate in indomethacin group and thus a new trial with larger sample size of sufficient power is predicted to prove the superiority of indomethacin over diclofenac. Here we conducted a multicenter, randomized, double-blind trial to investigate whether 100mg indomethacin is superior to 100mg diclofenac in preventing PEP.

A Study of Blood Based Biomarkers for Pancreas Adenocarcinoma

The purpose of this study is to develop a minimally invasive test to diagnose pancreatic cancer at early stages of disease and monitor response to treatment.

Building and Sustaining Exercise Habits for Adults With Type 1 Diabetes

The challenges of living with type 1 diabetes often stand in the way of getting enough exercise. Continuous blood sugar monitoring has revolutionized type 1 diabetes care but remains underutilized to sustainably support exercise and related behaviors. This remote participation-based research will develop a mobile application that delivers personalized encouragement and data-driven health insights based upon patterns in blood sugar, exercise, mood, and sleep, to assist people with type 1 diabetes in exercising more frequently and confidently. You do not need to live in Connecticut to participate, as there will be no required in-person visits during the study.

Prospective Evaluation of Chronic Pancreatitis for Epidemiologic and Translational Studies

The Coordinating and Data Management Center (CDMC) at MD Anderson Cancer will be responsible for the coordination and data management for the Prospective Evaluation of Chronic Pancreatitis for Epidemiologic and Translational Studies (PROCCEED) Study, which is part of the NIH U01 funded Consortium for the Study of Chronic Pancreatitis, Diabetes, and Pancreatic Cancer (CPDPC). No patient enrollment will occur at MDACC. All patient recruitment will occur at external sites that are a part of the CPDPC. The data management systems, auditing, and monitoring effort are supported by the MD Anderson Cancer Center Clinical Research Support Center (CRSC). PROCEED is the first study in the USA that is carefully following participants to better understand factors that may be responsible for causing pancreatitis and how it progresses. The study is being conducted at the following 9 major clinical centers across the US: * Baylor College of Medicine * Cedars-Sinai Medical Center * University of Florida * Indiana University * Mayo Clinic * University of Minnesota * Ohio State University * Stanford University * University of Pittsburgh The study is enrolling participants who are at different stages of chronic pancreatitis, including those with no known pancreas disease (controls), and those with abdominal pain, one or more attacks of pancreatitis, or chronic pancreatitis. After enrollment, participants with abdominal pain and pancreatitis are asked to follow-up every year to learn about their symptoms and any changes in the disease. PROCEED investigators plan to use the detailed information they collect to better understand the disease and identify new treatments. "More details and updated information about this study can be found at the study's public website: https://www.cpdpc-research-consortium.org/research- study-cpdpc-16-02-proceed".

Nucleosome Monitoring Relevance for Outcome Prediction in Critically Ill Patients

The goal of this observational study is to evaluate whether whole blood H3.1 nucleosome levels can predict 30-day mortality in adult critically ill patients admitted to the ICU with conditions such as sepsis, septic shock, cardiogenic shock, severe trauma, post-cardiac arrest, acute brain injury, or severe acute pancreatitis. The main questions it aims to answer are: Do initial whole blood H3.1 nucleosome levels predict 30-day mortality in critically ill patients? Are whole blood nucleosome measurements using a novel point-of-care device correlated with traditional plasma chemiluminescence immunoassays (ChLIA)? If there is a comparison group: Researchers will compare point-of-care whole blood nucleosome results with plasma ChLIA assays to see if the device provides reliable and feasible bedside measurements. Participants will: Provide blood samples at admission, 6h, Day 1, Day 3, and Day 7 for nucleosome analysis. Undergo point-of-care H3.1 nucleosome measurement and parallel plasma storage for ChLIA testing. (If applicable, in acute brain injury patients with external ventricular drains) provide daily cerebrospinal fluid samples until Day 5, only if otherwise discarded. Have standard ICU data (SOFA, SAPS II, etc.) collected as part of routine care.

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.

PROMs After Pancreatectomy

The standard of care for a patient with resectable pancreatic is to perform pancreatic resection which, even in the modern era is associated with significant complications and impact on quality of life, often in the setting of poor survival even in the best scenario. Currently, there is a lack of data on patient quality of life after such procedures, how quality of life changes throughout the course of care, and whether patients who undergo these procedures are satisfied with their decision. This research is aimed to understand the impact of pancreatic surgery on patients' quality of life, how that impact changes over time, and patient satisfaction (or regret) with their decisions. This work will help improve the pre-operative conversation to help patients decide whether undergoing a pancreatic resection aligns with their post-operative goals of care.

CytOSorb TreatMent Of Critically Ill PatientS Registry

Registry intended to provide a data repository and reporting infrastructure for the surveillance of CytoSorb device use in real-world critical care settings, and to serve as an objective, comprehensive, and scientifically-based resource to measure and improve the quality of patient care

Comparison of the Effectiveness of Paracetamol With Ibuprofen or Paracetamol With Metamizole in Treating Pain in Acute Pancreatitis in Children

The aim of the study is to assess the effectiveness and tolerance of pain treatment in AP in children using intravenous paracetamol in combination with ibuprofen or paracetamol in combination with metamizole. The study is prospective, interventional, and randomized.

Bedside Monitoring of Microenvironmental Changes in Infected Pancreatic Collections

This pilot clinical study aims to assess the feasibility and clinical relevance of bedside monitoring of microenvironmental conditions within infected walled-off pancreatic necrosis (WOPN). WOPN is a serious complication of acute pancreatitis, often associated with infection, organ failure, and the need for drainage or surgical intervention. Although infection is a key factor in prognosis, little is known about the local chemical environment inside the infected collections. In this study, a sterile, miniaturized probe will be temporarily introduced into the necrotic cavity during standard percutaneous drainage. The goal is to record local microenvironmental parameters (such as acidity or related values) and monitor their changes over time. By comparing these values with clinical data (e.g., inflammatory markers, microbiology, need for surgery), the study aims to determine whether such measurements can provide additional information about infection severity and treatment response. The study does not involve any experimental treatment. All patients will receive standard medical care, including antibiotics, imaging, and drainage according to international guidelines. Participation is voluntary. Only patients who provide informed consent will be enrolled.

Encapsulation-oriented vs. Timing-oriented Strategies for Necrotizing Pancreatitis

This multicenter, randomized controlled trial (WONDER-03 study) investigates the optimal timing for endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided drainage in patients with necrotizing pancreatitis. Although current guidelines recommend delaying drainage until at least four weeks after the onset of acute pancreatitis to allow for encapsulation of necrosis, recent observational data suggest that the degree of encapsulation itself may more strongly influence treatment success and safety. In this trial, patients are randomly assigned to one of two groups: an encapsulation-oriented group, in which EUS-guided drainage is performed when imaging confirms ≥80% encapsulation of the necrotic collection with symptoms, and a timing-oriented group, in which drainage is performed at four to five weeks after disease onset, regardless of encapsulation status. The primary endpoint is clinical success within 180 days, defined as both radiologic resolution of necrosis and improvement in symptoms. Secondary endpoints include adverse event rates, recurrence of fluid collections, technical and clinical success rates, and healthcare resource use. This study aims to determine whether a strategy based on encapsulation leads to better clinical outcomes than the conventional time-based approach and may help establish a new evidence-based treatment algorithm for necrotizing pancreatitis.

Feasibility and Safety of Supraglottic Oxygen Delivery Via an Endotracheal Tube for Non-intubated ERCP Anesthesia: A Two-Stage Phase II Clinical Study

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is a technique for evaluating the bile duct, pancreatic duct, and ampulla. Hypoxia is the most common cardiopulmonary complication during ERCP, with a reported rate of 16.2 to 39.2%. The key to preventing hypoxia is to ensure the sufficient oxygenation and ventilation of patients during these procedures. The commonly used approaches to treat hypoxia with a non-instrumented airway are increasing the oxygen flow and lifting the jaw, applying with both hands, displacing the jaw upwards and anteriorly, which allowed the upper airway to remain open. We hypothesized that the supraglottic oxygen delivery via an endotracheal tube can reduce the incidence of hypoxia in patients under deep sedation during ERCP.

COMBO Endoscopy Oropharyngeal Airway in Sedated Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography for Patients

Hypoxia represents the prevailing adverse occurrence during the sedation of patients undergoing Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) with propofol. A recent innovation in this domain is the COMBO Endoscopy Oropharyngeal Airway-a multifaceted device that encompasses capnography monitoring, bite block , oxygenation support, and oropharyngeal airway management. This device has been purposefully designed to cater to the unique requirements of endoscopic procedures. The principal objective of this study is to assess the efficacy of the COMBO Endoscopy Oropharyngeal Airway in reducing the incidence of hypoxia in patients undergoing ERCP under sedation.

The Characteristics of Oral Microbiota in Chronic Pancreatitis and Autoimmune Pancreatitis

There are more than 700 different bacteria colonized in human oral cavity, which are collectively referred to as oral microbiota. Emerging evidence suggests that oral microbiota plays a series of important roles in human health, such as immune response, carcinogen metabolism and nutrient digestion. The changes of oral microbiota composition are closely related to the occurrence and development of pancreatic diseases. Previous studies have found that there are dense bacterial biofilms in the pancreatic duct of patients with calcified pancreatitis, including oral bacterial types. However, most studies only focused on the changes of gut microbiota in patients with chronic pancreatitis, and there were lack of research and description on the changes of oral microbiota in patients with chronic pancreatitis. In this study, we will extract and sequence bacterie's full-length 16S rRNA to describe the characteristics of oral microbiota in patients with chronic pancreatitis, confirming that there are changes in oral microbiota in patients with chronic pancreatitis, and compare the differences of oral microbiota in patients with chronic pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer and autoimmune pancreatitis.