Pediatric pancreatitis: finding early clues to predict progression and guide therapies
Official title: INSPPIRE: Using the natural history of pediatric chronic pancreatitis to identify disease predictors and design therapies
Funded at University of Iowa · NIH-11400490 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at why some children with acute recurrent pancreatitis develop chronic pancreatitis and how to tailor future treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Iowa NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Iowa City, United States) |
| Project start | September 28, 2015 |
| Project end | June 30, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $613,811 |
| NIH project number | 5U01DK108334-12 |
| Project ID | NIH-11400490 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Children and adolescents with a history of acute recurrent pancreatitis or chronic pancreatitis, from multiple centers participating in INSPPIRE-like networks.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without pancreatitis or those not followed in pediatric centers may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
Pediatric acute recurrent pancreatitis and chronic pancreatitis are rare but seriously impact kids and families. The study builds on INSPPIRE to closely follow children over time, identify risk factors and biomarkers, and understand how the disease evolves. By collecting detailed clinical data and biospecimens across multiple centers, researchers aim to uncover predictors that could guide early, targeted treatments. The ultimate goal is to prevent complications like pain, malabsorption, and diabetes in young patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the project could enable earlier, personalized therapies that slow or prevent disease progression in children with pancreatitis.
How similar studies have gone: Prior pediatric pancreatitis work through INSPPIRE has identified genetic and anatomical contributors, with ongoing work aiming to translate findings into therapies.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Iowa
Iowa City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Uc, Aliye — University of Iowa
- Study coordinator: Uc, Aliye
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.
-
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.
-
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.