Article Text

Download PDFPDF
Original article
Treatment of relapsing autoimmune pancreatitis with immunomodulators and rituximab: the Mayo Clinic experience
  1. Phil A Hart1,
  2. Mark D Topazian1,
  3. Thomas E Witzig2,
  4. Jonathan E Clain1,
  5. Ferga C Gleeson1,
  6. Robin R Klebig2,
  7. Michael J Levy1,
  8. Randall K Pearson1,
  9. Bret T Petersen1,
  10. Thomas C Smyrk3,
  11. Aravind Sugumar1,
  12. Naoki Takahashi4,
  13. Santhi S Vege1,
  14. Suresh T Chari1
  1. 1Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
  2. 2Division of Hematology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
  3. 3Department of Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
  4. 4Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
  1. Correspondence to Dr Suresh T Chari, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA; chari.suresh{at}mayo.edu

Abstract

Background There is a paucity of data on long-term management of type 1 autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP), a relapsing steroid-responsive disorder.

Objective We describe our experience with treatment of relapses and maintenance of remission using steroid-sparing immunomodulators (IMs) and induction of remission using rituximab (RTX).

Methods We obtained details of disease relapse and treatment in 116 type 1 AIP patients from clinic visits, medical records and telephone interviews. We compared relapse free survival in those treated with IMs versus those treated with steroids alone, assessed patients’ response to RTX, and identified treatment-related complications.

Results During a median follow-up of 47 months, 52/116 AIP patients experienced 76 relapse episodes. The first relapse was treated with another course of steroids in 24 patients, and with steroids plus IM in another 27 patients; subsequent relapse-free survival until a second relapse was similar in the two groups (p=0.23). 38 patients received an IM for >2 months; failure or intolerance of IM therapy occurred in 17 (45%). 12 patients with steroid or IM intolerance/resistance were treated with RTX, an antiCD20 antibody; 10 (83%) experienced complete remission and had no relapses while on maintenance therapy. Treatment-limiting side effects related to RTX were uncommon.

Conclusions In type 1 AIP relapses are common. Relapse-free survival is similar in those treated with steroids plus IM compared to those treated with steroids alone. Nearly half the patients on IMs will relapse during treatment. RTX is effective in the treatment of both IM resistant and steroid intolerant patients.

  • PANCREAS
  • AUTOIMMUNE BILIARY DISEASE
  • CHRONIC PANCREATITIS

Statistics from Altmetric.com

Request Permissions

If you wish to reuse any or all of this article please use the link below which will take you to the Copyright Clearance Center’s RightsLink service. You will be able to get a quick price and instant permission to reuse the content in many different ways.