Indiana University Clinical Center for Chronic Pancreatitis
Official title: Indiana University (IU) Clinical Center for Chronic Pancreatitis Clinical Research Network
Funded at Indiana University Indianapolis · NIH-11219345 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This program follows people with chronic pancreatitis and at-risk children and adults to find better biomarkers and try a new drug that may slow or reverse pancreatic scarring.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Indiana University Indianapolis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Indianapolis, United States) |
| Project start | September 28, 2015 |
| Project end | June 30, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $546,250 |
| NIH project number | 2U01DK108323-11 |
| Project ID | NIH-11219345 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People of all ages with chronic pancreatitis or children and adults at high risk who are enrolled in the PROCEED or INSPPIRE-2 cohorts or eligible for the Galectin-3 inhibitor arm are the ideal candidates.
✕Less likely to help
People without chronic pancreatitis, those with abdominal pain from other causes, or patients with very advanced, irreversible pancreatic failure may not receive direct benefit from this work.
What this research studies
I would join a long-term network that follows people with chronic pancreatitis and children at risk to track symptoms, imaging, and blood or tissue samples over time. The team will use MRI scans and new imaging criteria as possible markers of disease and collect biological samples to look for changes that predict worsening. They also plan a treatment arm testing a Galectin-3 blocker to see if it can reduce or stop the scarring in the pancreas. The work is done through the PROCEED and INSPPIRE-2 cohorts and IU network sites so you would be followed at participating clinics.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to tests that detect early disease and a drug that slows or reverses pancreatic fibrosis, easing pain and lowering complications.
How similar studies have gone: MRI biomarkers and Galectin-3 blockers have shown promise in other fibrotic diseases and early studies, but using them specifically for chronic pancreatitis is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
-
Indiana University Indianapolis
Indianapolis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Easler, Jeffrey James — Indiana University Indianapolis
- Study coordinator: Easler, Jeffrey James
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Chronic Pancreatitis and Related Conditions Data Center Supports Multi-Center Research
A national effort to organize and share clinical data and biosamples from people with chronic pancreatitis, pancreatogenic diabetes, and pancreatic cancer to speed biomarker discovery and new treatments.
-
Malabsorption Blood Test for Exocrine Pancreatic Function in Chronic Pancreatitis
A blood test (MBT) will help identify people with mild to moderate pancreatic fat malabsorption and show how well enzyme therapy improves their quality of life.
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Chronic Pancreatitis Clinical Research Cohort and Biorepository
A long-term study at UF/Advent Health following adults with acute, relapsing, and chronic pancreatitis to build a detailed group with biospecimens and data for better diagnosis and personalized care.
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Cedars-Sinai Center leads research on chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer
A Cedars-Sinai research center is renewing its program to study chronic pancreatitis, diabetes-related pancreatic disease, and pancreatic cancer so doctors can better understand and treat these conditions.
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UPMC Center for Pancreatitis and Diabetes research program
A specialized center at the University of Pittsburgh is advancing clinical and biological studies of chronic pancreatitis, recurrent acute pancreatitis, and diabetes to improve understanding and care.
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Chronic Pancreatitis Research Network to Understand Symptoms and Find Treatments
This project advances studies of chronic pancreatitis to understand why some people progress and to test new ideas that could diagnose or slow the disease.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.