Pancreatic Diseases: Research

1 – IRPAC

IRPAC is a non-profit association founded in the 1990s by Professor Pierre Bernades—who established French Pancreatology—with the goal of raising the necessary funds to conduct scientific research in the fields of pancreatology and digestive oncology.

On this website, you will find information about our department, the diseases we manage, the various studies we have participated in, and our ongoing projects.

Association Leadership

Pr Vinciane Rebours - Service Pancréatologie
 Prof. Vinciane Rebours, President Publications
Prof. Anne Couvelard, Secretary Publications
Prof. Louis de Mestier, Tresurer Publications
 

OUR RESEARCH ACTIVITY: HOW ARE YOUR DONATIONS USED?

1. CLINICAL RESEARCH ACTIVITY

For over 20 years, we have published clinical research articles in the top journals of our specialty (New England Journal of Medicine, Gastroenterology, Gut, Pancreas, Pancreatology, etc.).

These studies have focused on a wide range of diseases, based on large patient cohorts (several hundred), particularly in cases of pancreatic cancer, endocrine tumors, pancreatitis of all causes, and cystic tumors.

There is still much to do in clinical research, especially given the steady rise in pancreatic cancer cases (tripled in women and doubled in men over the past 30 years) and acute pancreatitis. Some benign cystic tumors are present in 7% of the general population.

Research on pancreatic cancer is crucial due to its grim prognosis. While significant progress has been made in imaging, surgery, and chemotherapy, much remains to be done. Early detection and prevention of this cancer are still underdeveloped research areas.

Management of neuroendocrine tumors has seen substantial progress in imaging and medical treatment. However, treatment combinations have become complex, requiring further research to determine the best strategy for each case.

Managing pancreatitis also demands continued research to reduce its severity, infection risks, and mortality. Treatment for pancreatic necrosis now uses less invasive methods (radiology or endoscopy), which still need improvement and broader application.

All these challenges underscore our urgent need for your support, especially as institutional funding becomes increasingly scarce and we seek to maintain our independence from the pharmaceutical industry.

Thank you in advance for your support—whatever form it may take.

2. BASIC (FUNDAMENTAL) RESEARCH ACTIVITY

Since 2009, we have been developing a basic research program within an INSERM research unit, specifically Team 9: From Inflammation to Cancer in Digestive Diseases, led by Prof. V. Paradis and Dr. A. Couvineau at the INSERM UMR1149 Inflammation Research Center (Director: Prof. R. Monteiro).

This research program in pancreatology and digestive oncology was initiated by Prof. Anne Couvelard (Head of Pathology at Bichat Hospital and IRPAC secretary) and Prof. Vinciane Rebours (Pancreatology Department, Beaujon Hospital, and IRPAC treasurer). They have since been joined by Dr. Jérôme Cros and Dr. Louis de Mestier. The team also includes researchers, research engineers, technicians, Master’s and PhD students.

Over the last 10 years, we have focused on two major research areas:

  1. The role of chronic inflammation in the development of pancreatic cancer

  2. Digestive neuroendocrine tumors (NETs)

Our team has been certified by the French League Against Cancer since 2016. We collaborate with national and international partners and have secured funding through numerous grant applications to hire research staff and purchase essential equipment.

Research Themes

Theme 1: Inflammation, Risk Factors, and Pancreatic Cancer

For the past 3 years, we have been studying the role of obesity, diabetes, and fat infiltration in the development of pancreatic cancer. We received a research support plan from INCA (French National Cancer Institute), which funded part of our work (€650,000 over 3 years).

Project title:
Early Stages of Pancreatic Cancer Associated with Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome: Tools for Prevention and Detection.

Obesity and diabetes are risk factors for pancreatic cancer and precancerous lesions. We believe it’s possible to:

  • Characterize the sequential process of “fat infiltration → inflammation/fibrosis → cancer”

  • Develop suitable imaging tools to monitor its progression

  • Test treatments that could slow or prevent cancer development in obese and diabetic patients

This major project combines:

  • In vitro approaches: 2D and 3D cell cultures

  • In vivo studies: animal models of diabetes and obesity

  • Translational research: studies in humans

Our goal is a preventive strategy targeting obesity- and diabetes-associated signaling pathways, to identify and treat precancerous pancreatic lesions before cancer develops in at-risk patients.

Theme 2: Neuroendocrine Tumors (NETs)

Beaujon Hospital is one of the leading European centers for digestive and pancreatic NETs. Thanks to a unique patient cohort and a renowned multidisciplinary team, we have been conducting basic and translational research on NETs for over a decade.

Main research areas include:

  • Molecular abnormalities (DNA, RNA) in NETs

  • Intra-tumoral heterogeneity

  • Anti-cancer treatments: effectiveness, biomarkers of sensitivity, and mechanisms of resistance

NETs are rare and poorly understood tumors, especially at the molecular level. While an increasing number of treatments are available, it remains unclear which treatment suits which patient.

We aim to identify key molecular anomalies within NETs or specific subpopulations of tumor cells, to:

  • Develop new treatments

  • Discover biomarkers that predict response or resistance to current therapies

  • Enable personalized, targeted treatment for each patient

This research is partially funded by grants from the:

  • French Society of Gastroenterology (SNFGE)

  • French Study Group for Endocrine Tumors (GTE)

  • European Neuroendocrine Tumor Society (ENETS)

  • Canceropôle Île-de-France

  • A.R.C.A.D Foundation