Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable

Microplastics in Pancreas: Oncologic and Metabolic Impact

Italy10 participantsStarted 2026-04-01

Plain-language summary

Microplastics and nanoplastics (MNPs) are emerging environmental contaminants that have been detected in several human tissues, raising concerns about their potential impact on human health. However, their presence in the human pancreas has not yet been investigated. The aim of this prospective, single-center study is to detect and characterize microplastics in human pancreatic tissue obtained from patients undergoing pancreatic resection for benign or malignant diseases. Microplastics will also be analyzed in peripancreatic adipose tissue and peripheral blood. Advanced imaging techniques, including fluorescence microscopy, confocal microscopy, and Raman spectroscopy, will be used for identification and characterization. Secondary objectives include the evaluation of potential associations between microplastic burden and pancreatic metabolic function, assessed through clinical evaluation and metabolic testing. This proof-of-concept study aims to provide the first evidence of microplastic presence in the human pancreas and explore their potential role in metabolic dysfunction and carcinogenesis.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years – 80 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: age between 18 and 80 years patients scheduled for elective pancreatic resection for benign or malignant pancreatic disease ability to understand and provide written informed consent no contraindications to general anesthesia Exclusion Criteria: age \<18 or \>80 years severe hepatic insufficiency (Child-Pugh class C) pregnancy or breastfeeding inability to understand the study procedures or provide informed consent

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Presence of Microplastics in Human Pancreatic Tissue

Timeframe: At time of surgery

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07486128

SponsorFondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeOBSERVATIONAL

Primary completion2027-04-01

Contact for this trial

Sergio Alfieri, MD

+390530155133 sergio.alfieri@policlinicogemelli.it

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Pancreatic Diseases trials