Blood Test Shows Promise for Pancreatic Insufficiency
A pilot study presented at the ACG Annual Scientific Meeting found a blood-based biomarker performed comparably to fecal elastase in diagnosing exocrine pancreatic insufficiency.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Diabetes
Researchers presented a pilot study at the ACG Annual Scientific Meeting assessing apolipoprotein A2 isoform as a blood-based biomarker for exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. The blood test performed comparably to fecal elastase, the recommended diagnostic test for the condition.
Why it matters
Fecal elastase has completion rates of approximately 25% to 40% and can produce falsely low results in patients with watery diarrhea. A reliable blood-based alternative could make diagnosis of the condition more accessible and accurate for patients.
The pilot study's area under the curve for the blood biomarker was 0.87, compared with 0.88 for trypsin and 0.93 for fecal elastase across 72 consenting patients. The researchers have not yet established diagnostic thresholds, and larger studies are needed to validate these preliminary findings.
The players
The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
A major academic medical center in Columbus, Ohio, affiliated with The Ohio State University and home to the lead author's research institution.
American College of Gastroenterology (ACG)
A professional medical society representing gastroenterologists, which hosts an annual scientific meeting where clinical research is presented.
The details
Researchers at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center assessed apolipoprotein A2 isoform in blood samples drawn from participants who had already completed fecal elastase testing. Investigators were blinded to the blood biomarker results during adjudication, and the test showed a strong association with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency and its severity.
Timeline
November 5, 2026: Study presented at the ACG Annual Scientific Meeting in Nashville, Tennessee.
Health Landscape
The blood-based biomarker offers a possible alternative to fecal elastase, the current recommended test for exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, which has completion rates of approximately 25% to 40%. Its falsely low results in patients with watery diarrhea have long limited its diagnostic reliability.
If validated, a blood test could spare patients the difficulty of collecting stool samples for fecal elastase testing. Patients with watery diarrhea, for whom fecal elastase can give falsely low results, may eventually have a more reliable diagnostic option.
The takeaway
Diagnostic tests that rely on stool samples face practical barriers, and a validated blood-based alternative could improve how exocrine pancreatic insufficiency is identified. Patients experiencing persistent digestive symptoms may benefit from discussing testing options with their clinicians.
Further reading
For related coverage of pancreatic and metabolic conditions, see Diabetes in the Health section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Healio.
