Two SPINK1 Mutations Induce Early-Onset Severe Chronic Pancreatitis

Abstract

The SPINK1 protein is a potent antiprotease that can inactivate any intrapancreatic trypsin activity that would otherwise induce autodigestion of the pancreas. SPINK1 mutations have been recognized to be associated with chronic pancreatitis in patients without a family history of pancreatitis. We here describe the case of a 24-year-old woman referred to our service for recurrent abdominal pain and search for the cause of chronic calcifying pancreatitis, who was found to carry 2 SPINK1 mutations.