Pancreas Research and Education Updates
January 30th, 2023
Pancreas SNaP-Shot.
Ariel Precision Medicine (APM) has launched a revolutionary new tool for healthcare providers (HCP) and patients called SNaP-Shot. This required a new approach to the early diagnosis and treatment of chronic and complex disorders using a customized, high-density genotyping array, linked with disease models and clinical decision support (CDS) information. The video above gives Prof. Whitcomb’s view of the new product. (Prof. Whitcomb is an independent consultant whose views and opinions do not represent APM, the University of Pittsburgh or UPMC. (c) SMART-MD publishing LLC)
“Is pancreatitis in your genes?”
PancreasFest 2023 dates have been set for July 27-28, 2023 on the campus of the University of Pittsburgh. The program will be a jointly sponsored by the University of Pittsburgh, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, and the Collaborative Alliance for Pancreatic Education and Research (CAPER). For more information please go to www.pancreasfest.org.

Pancreas Academy!
Pancreas Academy is an intense primer on all aspects of pancreatic anatomy, physiology, pathology, disease types and treatment options. It is designed for allied health care professionals and trainees who need a solid background for their jobs. Pancreas Academy offers teaching from the world’s experts. Follow this link to previously recorded presentations and to schedule upcoming presentations for on-line participation.
PEaRL
– Previous PEaRLs – PEaRL Page
Mechanistic definition of Chronic Pancreatitis.
The two parts of the definition include the “essence” and the “characteristics”
Essence – “Chronic pancreatitis is a pathologic fibro-inflammatory syndrome of the pancreas in individuals with genetic, environmental and/or other risk factors who develop persistent pathologic responses to parenchymal injury or stress”.
Characteristics – “Common features of established and advanced CP include pancreatic atrophy, fibrosis, pain syndromes, duct distortion and strictures, calcifications, pancreatic exocrine dysfunction, pancreatic endocrine dysfunction and dysplasia.”
The publication of the article in Pancreatology (the official journal of the International Association of Pancreatology) has triggered international debated and general acceptance (see below).
A video presentation of the concepts is provided here, with discussion on the official Pancreatology web site (http://www.pancreatology.net/content/new-definition-chronic-pancreatitis).
CME Programs on Pancreatic Diseases
Pancreatitis Genetic Variant – Website.
A mutation web site (https://pancreasgenetics.org/) provides information on the functional consequence of various pancreatitis genes such as PRSS1, SPINK1 etc. The site is maintained by Prof. Miklos Sahin-Toth MD PhD and is currently being rebuilt.
PEaRL .:. Pancreatitis Education and Research Letter
PEaRL news letter page – See “Patient Information” link above
– previous PEaRLs – PEaRL Page