Yan Bi1, Baoan Ji2, Jin Ye Yeo3
1Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA; 2Department of Cancer Biology at Mayo Clinic, FL, USA; 3TGH Editorial Office, AME Publishing Company
Correspondence to: Jin Ye Yeo. TGH Editorial Office, AME Publishing Company. Email: tgh@amegroups.com
Expert introduction
Prof. Yan Bi (Figure 1) is an Associate Professor of Medicine at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science and a consultant in the division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at Mayo Clinic Florida. She completed her medical degree at the Shandong Medical University and received her Ph.D. degree from the University of Michigan. After finishing Internal Medicine residency at University of Texas Southwestern in Austin, she completed general Gastroenterology and Hepatology Fellowship and Medical Pancreatology Advanced Fellowship at Mayo Clinic in Rochester.
Prof. Bi’s research interests include animal models of acute and chronic pancreatitis, novel treatment of pancreatitis, and early pancreatic cancer detection. She is the Principal Investigator (PI) of an NIH R01 grant and an DOD grant, as well as the Co-PI on several NIH-funded projects. Additionally, she serves as the site PI for the PRECEDE consortium. She is an associate editor for the APA's official journal, Pancreas, and is a member of the editorial boards for Pancreatology and Clinical and Translational Gastroenterology. She has been selected as a Kern Scholar and is developing her skills as a healthcare delivery expert. Prof. Bi is a member of several professional organizations, including the American Pancreas Association (APA), American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE), American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) and American Gastroenterological Association (AGA).
Figure 1 Prof. Yan Bi
Interview
TGH: Your research spans acute and chronic pancreatitis as well as early pancreatic cancer detection. What initially drew you to these specific areas within gastroenterology?
Prof. Bi: My interest in pancreatitis and early pancreatic cancer detection stems from my experiences during medical training and research. Witnessing the devastating effects of pancreatic diseases on patients' quality of life drove my desire to explore better diagnostic and treatment approaches. The complexity of the pancreas and its diseases presents numerous research opportunities, particularly in understanding disease mechanisms and innovating treatments.
TGH: Could you provide an overview of the recent discoveries in novel therapies for pancreatitis? Are there any examples or emerging approaches that you are most excited about?
Prof. Bi and Prof. Ji: Recent advancements in pancreatitis treatment have led to a more individualized approach. One key development in acute pancreatitis is the shift toward goal-directed fluid resuscitation with lactated Ringer’s solution, which improves patient outcomes compared to aggressive hydration. Additionally, early enteral feeding has become the preferred strategy within the first 48 hours, helping to reduce infection risks and support recovery.
In the research field, significant strides have been made, with some therapies undergoing clinical trials showing promise for both acute and chronic pancreatitis. For example, pirfenidone, an FDA-approved medication for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), has demonstrated potential in animal models for reducing pancreatic fibrosis and inflammation. It also shows promise in decreasing the frequency of acute pancreatitis episodes. Currently, pirfenidone is in clinical trials for patients with recurrent acute pancreatitis (NCT06253117).
Furthermore, calcium channel blockers are emerging as a potential therapy for preventing post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) pancreatitis by modulating calcium influx, and they are also undergoing clinical trials (NCT05252754). Another promising area, lipase inhibitors RABI-767, is currently being evaluated in a phase 2a trial (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT06080789) which aims to reduce pancreatic lipase activity and prevent autodigestion during acute pancreatitis. In addition, gene therapy is being explored as a long-term solution, particularly in chronic pancreatitis cases (38553043). All these exciting developments hold promise in modifying disease progression and offering more sustainable therapeutic outcomes.
TGH: You have worked extensively with animal models in your research. What are some of the key findings or breakthroughs you have made using these models?
Prof. Bi and Prof. Ji: In our research, we have extensively utilized animal models to gain insights into the genetic and molecular mechanisms underlying pancreatitis. One significant breakthrough was the development of a mouse model expressing the human PRSS1 R122H mutation (1). This model revealed that the expression of PRSS1 R122H increases the severity of pancreatitis and sensitizes mice to environmental factors such as lipopolysaccharide, ethanol, or a high-fat diet. This finding has been crucial in understanding the mechanisms of hereditary pancreatitis and the impact of environmental factors on the disease. Furthermore, our research on the increased expression of human PRSS2 in transgenic mice highlighted the detrimental role of PRSS2 in exacerbating pancreatitis (2). This study supports the idea that increased trypsin activity is key to the severity of the disease and provides a basis for further research into potential therapeutic targets. Another key finding from our work is the cooperative role of wild-type PRSS2 and mutant PRSS1 R122H in initiating spontaneous pancreatitis (3).
TGH: What advice would you give to early-career researchers and clinicians who are interested in pursuing a similar path in gastroenterology and hepatology?
Prof. Bi: I would advise them to seek out strong mentorship and immerse themselves in both clinical practice and basic research. Pancreatic diseases are complex and require an interdisciplinary approach. Building a solid foundation in both clinical gastroenterology and laboratory research will provide the necessary tools to make meaningful contributions to the field. Additionally, persistence and curiosity are crucial, as breakthroughs in pancreatology often require long-term dedication.
TGH: Looking ahead, what are some of the key challenges you anticipate in the field of pancreatology and how do you plan to address them through your research?
Prof. Bi: One of the major challenges in pancreatology is the early detection of pancreatic cancer, as it often presents late with poor prognoses. To address this, my work is centered on developing biomarkers and advanced imaging techniques for early diagnosis.
TGH: As a member of several prominent gastroenterology associations, how have these memberships influenced your professional development and the direction of your research?
Prof. Bi: Being a member of organizations like the American Pancreas Association and ASGE has been invaluable for my professional growth. These memberships have provided networking opportunities, access to the latest research, and collaboration on key clinical guidelines. They have also helped me stay updated on the evolving therapeutic landscape, which directly influences the direction of my own research. Through these associations, I’ve had the chance to contribute to and benefit from collective expertise, shaping my focus on pancreatitis and early cancer detection.
TGH: How has your experience been as an Editorial Board Member of TGH?
Prof. Bi: Serving on the editorial board of TGH has been a rewarding experience. It has allowed me to stay updated with the latest research in gastroenterology, and also contribute to shaping the direction of the journal by selecting high-quality studies that advance the field. It has been an enriching experience, offering me the chance to engage with high-quality research from colleagues around the world. The peer-review process is both challenging and rewarding, as it allows me to contribute to the advancement of our field while learning about the latest developments in gastroenterology and hepatology. Being part of TGH has kept me at the forefront of emerging trends and innovations.
TGH: As an Editorial Board Member, what are your expectations for TGH?
Prof. Bi: My hope is that TGH continues to expand its reach globally, maintaining its role as a platform for disseminating cutting-edge research while promoting diversity and inclusion in gastroenterology. I also expect it to encourage more interdisciplinary studies, integrating innovations in genetics, molecular biology, and bioengineering with clinical gastroenterology.
Reference
- Huang H, Swidnicka-Siergiejko AK, Daniluk J, et al. Transgenic Expression of PRSS1R122H Sensitizes Mice to Pancreatitis. Gastroenterology 2020;158(4):1072-1082.e7.
- Wan J, Haddock A, Edenfield B, Ji B, Bi Y. Transgenic expression of human PRSS2 exacerbates pancreatitis in mice. Gut 2020;69(11):2051-2052.
- Wang J, Wan J, Wang L, et al. Wild-Type Human PRSS2 and PRSS1R122H Cooperatively Initiate Spontaneous Hereditary Pancreatitis in Transgenic Mice. Gastroenterology 2022;163(1):313-315.e4.