PancFibrosis
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Investigating mechanisms of pancreatic fibrosis using human pancreatic tissue
IRAS ID
249628
Contact name
Karen Piper Hanley
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Manchester
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Pancreas transplantation is an effective treatment for patients with difficult to manage Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus. The pancreas produces insulin to control sugar levels, but over time, the implanted pancreas can build up scar tissue in place of cells that produce insulin, causing the transplant to fail. Once implanted into a recipient, it is difficult to assess how well the pancreas is functioning due to where it is placed in the abdomen. Currently, the best way to test the implanted pancreas is with a needle through the skin, which can be dangerous and often does not provide enough information. Doctors need more tests to help them find out if scar tissue is accumulating as well as drugs to slow down this build up of scar tissue to stop the transplant from failing.
This study will use samples of pancreas organs which have been assessed for use in transplant and considered not suitable for implantation into a patient. In the laboratory, these samples can be encouraged to form scar tissue. Tests can then be done to look at chemical signals within the samples so that more can be known about how this scar tissue is formed. When this information is known, other chemicals can be used to try and alter this process. In the future, this may lead to a new test to detect scar formation in pancreas transplants and a new drug being available to extend the length a pancreas transplant works for.
REC name
West Midlands - Coventry & Warwickshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/WM/0317
Date of REC Opinion
14 Nov 2018
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion