Director of the Division of Surgical Oncology Vikas Dudeja, MBBS, was awarded a Department of Defense (DOD) grant, which will fund his project, “Evaluation of NADPH Oxidase 1/4 Inhibition as a Novel Therapeutic Strategy Against Chronic Pancreatitis.”

According to Dudeja, pancreatitis is an inflammatory disease of the pancreas which results in significant morbidity, mortality, and hospitalizations. In U.S., over 300,000 patients are admitted each year with pancreatitis and more than $2 billion is spent on their care.

The two-year, almost $300,000 grant will allow Dudeja and his lab to study of NADPH oxidase 1/4 inhibition as a potential treatment for chronic pancreatitis. NADPH is an enzyme which plays a major role in the production of reactive oxygen species– which are thought to contribute to pancreatitis.

Specifically, it is believed that by inhibiting two specific NADPH enzymes, NOX-1 and -4, progression of chronic pancreatitis will be halted.

Dudeja asserts that the proposed studies have immediate clinical translational potential that could lead to improved outcomes of military personnel and veterans suffering from this formidable disease.

 “We’re really excited about these studies and look forward to our findings and what they will mean for those who struggle with chronic pancreatitis,” said Dudeja. “We are very hopeful that this grant allows us to get one step closer to a potential cure for pancreatitis.”