Malabsorption Blood Test for Exocrine Pancreatic Function in Chronic Pancreatitis
Official title: Malabsorption Blood Test (MBT) to Determine Exocrine Pancreatic Function and Related Quality of Life in Chronic Pancreatitis
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-11415052 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2025 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $326,743 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK140381-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11415052 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with recurrent acute pancreatitis or chronic pancreatitis who may have mild to moderate fat malabsorption.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without pancreatic fat malabsorption or those not considering PERT may see limited benefit.
What this research studies
This project uses a new MBT blood test to detect subtle exocrine pancreatic insufficiency in people with recurrent or chronic pancreatitis. Participants will provide a blood sample and receive standard pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) to see if the test can predict who benefits most from treatment. The study also tracks changes in quality of life and nutritional status after starting PERT. Results could lead to a simple blood test to guide treatment for fat malabsorption in pancreatitis patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could get a quick blood test to tailor PERT treatment and improve nutrition and quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows promise for biomarker-based approaches in identifying fat malabsorption but this exact MBT method is novel for guiding PERT.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Phillips, Anna Evans — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Phillips, Anna Evans
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.
-
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.
-
Chronic Pancreatitis Clinical Research Consortium at Stanford
A Stanford-based effort is renewing a patient-centered program to study chronic pancreatitis and recurrent acute pancreatitis, with ongoing recruitment of both adult and pediatric participants.
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.