Understanding what causes chronic pancreatitis in children to guide new treatments
INSPPIRE: Using the natural history of pediatric chronic pancreatitis to identify disease predictors and design therapies
This project follows children with repeated or chronic pancreatitis to find early signs and risks that could lead to better 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 ID | NIH-11219273 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If your child joins, doctors at pediatric centers in the INSPPIRE network will collect detailed medical histories, imaging, genetic tests, and blood samples over time. We will track symptoms like abdominal pain, hospital visits, pancreatic function, and the development of diabetes or exocrine insufficiency. The project combines information from many centers to spot patterns and biological markers that predict worsening disease. The network also prepares sites and builds the data needed to run future clinical trials of targeted therapies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Children and adolescents who have had repeated episodes of acute pancreatitis or who have a diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis are the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Adults with only adult-onset pancreatitis or people without a confirmed pancreatitis diagnosis are unlikely to directly benefit from this pediatric-focused effort.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could help doctors identify children at highest risk for complications and enable treatments that prevent pancreatic failure, chronic pain, or diabetes.
How similar studies have performed: Previous INSPPIRE work has identified genetic and anatomic drivers and documented the burden on children, but effective interventions to stop disease progression are not yet established.
Where this research is happening
Iowa City, United States
- University of Iowa — Iowa City, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Uc, Aliye — University of Iowa
- Study coordinator: Uc, Aliye
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 below.