Outcomes of Islet Autotransplantation in Chronic Pancreatitis Patients with Complete Acinar Atrophy

Total pancreatectomy with islet autotransplantation (TPIAT) is a promising treatment for refractory chronic pancreatitis (CP). Pathological features of CP include progressive fibrosis in pancreas parenchyma, atrophy, and/or ductal occlusion. Complete acinar atrophy (CAA) caused by chronic fibrosis and necroinflammation results in exocrine sufficiency and may influence islet isolation characteristics during TPIAT. In this analysis of patients who underwent TPIAT at our center, we compared transplant outcomes among those with CAA (n = 5) vs non-acinar atrophy (NAA; matching controls, n = 36). Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance with Bonferroni post hoc test or Student’s t test. Pancreas digestion was longer in CAA than in NAA cases (18.6 vs 14.6 min) despite a lower pancreas weight (55.2 vs 91.2 g). Obtained tissue volume was 1.0 ml in the CAA group and 12.1 ml in the NAA group. Both groups had similar islet viability (96%) and islet dose (CAA, 3,391 IEQ/kg; NAA, 4141.1 IEQ/kg). During islet infusion, serum cytokine (IL-6, IL-8, and MCP-1) levels and plasma hsa-miR-375 levels were lower in the CAA group than in the NAA group, but not significantly. Serum tumor necrosis factor α levels at 3 h after infusion were significantly higher in CAA group than in NAA group. After TPIAT, the metabolic outcomes of the CAA group were comparable with that of the NAA group. Narcotics usage decreased significantly over 24 months in both groups, with the CAA group reporting being pain free at 12 months. Complete atrophy of acinar cells of pancreas did not significantly impact islet yield or endocrine function after TPIAT.