Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator gene variants are associated with autoimmune pancreatitis and slow response to steroid treatment

BackgroundAutoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) is a distinct type of chronic pancreatitis. To date, the association of CFTR gene variants with AIP has not been studied.MethodsThe entire coding and intronic regions of the CFTR gene were examined using next-generation sequencing in 89 AIP patients. Clinical features, including imaging, histology, serology, steroid treatment response and extra-pancreatic involvement, were compared between AIP patients with and without CFTR gene variants.ResultsA total of 28.1% (25/89) of the AIP patients carried 26 CFTR variants, including nine with I556V, seven with 5T, four with S42F, two with I125T, and one each with R31C, R553X, S895N, and G1069R. The presence of CFTR variants and age was independent predictors of the response to steroid treatment, as shown by multivariate analysis.ConclusionsCFTR variants are associated with AIP. Because AIP patients with CFTR variants show slower and reduced steroid treatment responses, different treatments should be considered in AIP patients with CFTR variants.