Mathematical model of chronic pancreatitis

Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is a progressive inflammatory disease of the pancreas, leading to its fibrotic destruction. There are currently no drugs that can stop or slow the progression of the disease. The etiology of the disease is multifactorial, whereas recurrent attacks of acute pancreatitis are thought to precede the development of CP. A better understanding of the pathology of CP is needed to facilitate improved diagnosis and treatment strategies for this disease. The present paper develops a mathematical model of CP based on a dynamic network that includes macrophages, pancreatic stellate cells, and prominent cytokines that are present at high levels in the CP microenvironment. The model is represented by a system of partial differential equations. The model is used to explore in silico potential drugs that could slow the progression of the disease, for example infliximab (anti-TNF-α) and tocilizumab or siltuximab (anti-IL-6/IL-6R).