Key facts
- An experimental immune reset therapy has put lupus into remission in early UK trials.
- The treatment involves genetically modifying a patient's T-cells to target and destroy rogue B-cells.
- This CAR-T cell therapy approach is already approved for certain blood cancers.
- Five of the first six patients treated have remained in remission for over 18 months.
- The therapy could potentially treat other autoimmune disorders such as multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis.
An experimental treatment that engineers a patient's own immune cells to combat lupus has shown promising results in early UK trials, potentially offering a new avenue for treating autoimmune diseases. The therapy, known as CAR-T (chimeric antigen receptor T-cells), involves genetically modifying a patient's T-cells to target and destroy rogue B-cells, which are responsible for attacking the body in conditions like lupus.
One of the first patients to undergo the treatment, Katie Tinkler, described her recovery as life-changing. Diagnosed with lupus 30 years ago, she previously struggled with daily activities due to severe flare-ups and organ damage. A year and a half after receiving the experimental therapy at University College London Hospitals, Tinkler is off all medication, her organs have recovered, and she reports feeling better than she has in decades, enabling her to participate in activities like skiing.
The trial data, presented at the EULAR European Congress of Rheumatology, indicates that five out of the first six patients treated remain in remission. While the long-term duration of remission is still uncertain, experts are optimistic about the potential of CAR-T therapy for autoimmune diseases. This approach is already an approved treatment for certain blood cancers, and researchers are exploring its efficacy for conditions such as multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis, given their similar underlying mechanisms to lupus.