Impairment of neutrophil apoptosis in CF has been reported,4 5 26 and previous studies have suggested that this is either a response to systemic inflammation5 or, alternatively, a specific defect in CF neutrophils.4 26 The reversal of the apoptosis delay in patients with CF treated with (the CFTR potentiator) ivacaftor suggests that CFTR function in neutrophils is associated with apoptosis pathways. This evidence concerns the gene CFTR and cystic fibrosis.