Protein markers to help predict pain after pancreas removal with islet autotransplant
Official title: Protein biomarkers to predict pain outcomes after total pancreatectomy with islet autotransplant
Funded at University of Minnesota · NIH-11128552 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This will look for proteins in blood or urine that help tell which people with chronic pancreatitis may get pain relief after removing the pancreas and transplanting their own islets.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Minnesota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project start | September 22, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $735,823 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK138809-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11128552 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with chronic pancreatitis who are considering total pancreatectomy with islet autotransplant (TPIAT) or who were enrolled in the POST study are the best fit for this research.
✕Less likely to help
People without chronic pancreatitis, whose pain comes from other conditions, or who already had TPIAT are unlikely to benefit from these findings.
What this research studies
You would be hearing about research that uses blood and urine samples taken before surgery to find protein signals linked to pain outcomes after total pancreatectomy with islet autotransplant (TPIAT). The team will compare people who had big pain improvements one year after TPIAT with those who still had persistent pain, using samples and clinical data from the large multicenter POST study. They will test patterns of proteins in plasma and urine to find biomarkers that differ between responders and non-responders. The work uses an existing biorepository and detailed clinical follow-up, so results aim to be tied directly to patients' pain and quality-of-life changes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could help doctors predict who is likely to get lasting pain relief from TPIAT and guide treatment decisions to avoid unnecessary surgery.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work from the team and others suggests blood or urine biomarkers can distinguish pain types in chronic pancreatitis, but applying them to predict TPIAT outcomes is a newer application.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bellin, Melena D. — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Bellin, Melena D.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Biomarkers to forecast pain relief after total pancreatectomy with islet autotransplant
Scientists are testing blood and urine markers to predict which patients will have less pain after having their pancreas removed and insulin-producing tissue transplanted back, helping children and others with chronic pancreatitis plan better.
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Investigating long-term islet function after total pancreatectomy with islet autotransplantation
This study is looking at people who have had surgery to remove their pancreas and then had their insulin-producing cells put back in, to see how well those cells work over time and how it affects their blood sugar and diabetes, so we can find better ways to help them manage their health.
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Identifying protein markers to predict pain outcomes after pancreas removal surgery
This study is looking at how certain proteins in blood and urine can help doctors understand which kids having surgery for chronic pancreatitis will feel better afterward and which ones might still have pain, so they can provide the best care possible.
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Pancreatic Surgery and New Diabetes Risk in Adults without Diabetes
This study tests whether removing part or all of the pancreas during surgery affects blood sugar control and metabolism in adults who did not have diabetes before the operation.
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PancreasPlus app for monitoring recovery, symptoms, and education after pancreatic cancer treatment
This project will test whether the PancreasPlus app helps adults with pancreatic cancer and their caregivers monitor symptoms, get timely information, and communicate with their healthcare team.
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Hybrid Closed-Loop Insulin Delivery After Pancreatectomy
This study tests whether a commercially available monohormonal hybrid closed-loop insulin delivery system can help adults who developed diabetes after pancreatectomy better manage blood sugar.
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.