Hereditary PancreatitisSymptoms, Doctors, Treatments, Advances & More
Hereditary Pancreatitis Overview
Learn About Hereditary Pancreatitis
Hereditary pancreatitis is a genetic condition characterized by recurrent episodes of inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis). The pancreas produces enzymes that help digest food, and it also produces insulin, a hormone that controls levels of blood glucose, also called blood sugar. Episodes of pancreatitis can lead to permanent tissue damage and loss of pancreatic function.
Mutations in the PRSS1 gene cause most cases of hereditary pancreatitis. The PRSS1 gene provides instructions for making an enzyme called cationic trypsinogen. This enzyme is produced in the pancreas and helps with the digestion of food. When cationic trypsinogen is needed, it is released (secreted) from the pancreas and transported to the small intestine, where it is cut (cleaved) into its working or active form called trypsin. When digestion is complete and trypsin is no longer needed, the enzyme is broken down.
Hereditary pancreatitis is thought to be a rare condition. In Europe, its prevalence is estimated to be 3 to 6 per million individuals.
When hereditary pancreatitis is caused by mutations in the PRSS1 gene, it is inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern, which means one copy of the altered gene in each cell is sufficient to cause the disorder. In some cases, an affected person inherits the PRSS1 gene mutation from one affected parent. Other cases result from new mutations in the gene and occur in people with no history of the disorder in their family.
University Of Pittsburgh Physicians, Department Of Medicine, Division Of Gastroenterology
David Whitcomb, MD, PhD, specializes in gastroenterology and is board-certified in internal medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine. He is affiliated with UPMC Presbyterian. Dr. Whitcomb completed his fellowship and residencies at the Duke University School of Medicine and medical degree at Ohio State University College of Medicine. Dr. Whitcomb is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Hereditary Pancreatitis. He is also highly rated in 9 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Hereditary Pancreatitis, Acute Pancreatitis, Chronic Pancreatitis, Pancreaticoduodenectomy, and Pancreatectomy. Dr. Whitcomb is board certified in American Board Of Internal Medicine.
Johns Hopkins Health Care & Surgery Center - Green Spring Station, Lutherville
Vikesh Singh is a gastroenterologist who specializes in pancreatology and pancreaticobiliary endoscopy. He evaluates and treats patients with inflammatory diseases of the pancreas, including acute and chronic pancreatitis and autoimmune pancreatitis as well as the complications of these diseases. After earning his medical degree from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Dr. Singh remained at Johns Hopkins to complete residency training in internal medicine. He pursued fellowship training in gastroenterology at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and earned a master’s degree in epidemiology from the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health. He then returned to Johns Hopkins, where he completed a two-year advanced endoscopy fellowship with a focus on pancreaticobiliary endoscopy. Dr. Singh has been on the faculty at Johns Hopkins since 2008, and rose to the rank of professor in 2021. His research interests include acute and chronic pancreatitis, autoimmune pancreatitis, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, and novel methods to evaluate and treat abdominal pain. Dr. Singh is a member of the board of directors of the National Pancreas Foundation, chair of the Pancreatic Disorders Section of the American Gastroenterological Association, a councilor for the International Association of Pancreatology and a member of the inaugural medical advisory board for the Familial Chylomicronemia Syndrome Foundation. Dr. Singh is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Hereditary Pancreatitis. He is also highly rated in 27 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency, Hereditary Pancreatitis, Acute Pancreatitis, Pancreatectomy, and Endoscopy. Dr. Singh is board certified in American Board Of Internal Medicine.
UPMC Digestive Health Care
Adam Slivka, MD, PhD, is a Professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and the Associate Chief of Clinical Affairs for the Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Dr. Slivka is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Hereditary Pancreatitis. He is also highly rated in 22 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Hereditary Pancreatitis, Chronic Pancreatitis, Acute Pancreatitis, Endoscopy, and Pancreaticoduodenectomy. Dr. Slivka is board certified in American Board Of Internal Medicine.
Summary: This is a clinical trial for chronic pancreatitis (CP) patients undergoing total pancreatectomy with islet autotransplantation (TP-IAT). Participants will be randomized to either bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) or control with the standard of care. Participants will be followed for one-year post-transplant.
Summary: The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) works to prevent infections complications in patients in the late phase of moderately severe or severe acute pancreatitis.
Published Date: October 01, 2012
Published By: National Institutes of Health


