CAR T-Cell Therapy: New Lupus Cure

What is Lupus?

Lupus, formally known as Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), is a chronic autoimmune disorder that occurs when the body’s defensive system, the immune system, attacks the body by mistake. When this happens, the cells of the immune system that produce antibodies, called B cells, attack healthy tissue. This can result in inflammation and harm to numerous organs, such as the skin, joints, kidneys, heart, and lungs.

There are treatments that can lessen or treat lupus. However, therapy options are extremely minimal. Some treatment options such as immunosuppressive medication can improve long-term disease control and patient outcomes. While there hasn’t been a cure for lupus for a long time, there is finally a new hope for patients through CAR T-Cell Therapy. 

CAR T-Cell Therapy

CAR T-cell therapy or modified T cells, is a popular treatment for different forms of cancer such as leukemia, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and multiple myeloma. With cancer, the immune system often fails to use T cells right away. Even when the T Cells are used, the attack can be inadequate and weak. CAR T-cell immunotherapy alters these T cells to produce CARS or chimeric antigen receptors that stick to tumors and destroy them. A recent study published by the New England Journal of Medicine recommended that CAR T-cell therapy could also be very useful for lupus patients who refuse to respond to other treatments. 

The Study

The study included 15 patients, eight with lupus, four with systemic sclerosis, and three with idiopathic inflammatory myositis, a rare muscle disease. Using a single infusion of CAR T-cells designed to target B cells (the immune cells responsible for autoimmunity), researchers eliminated or reduced symptoms and disease biomarkers. Additionally, they monitored the patients after the treatment, and none of the lupus patients relapsed for up to two years. 

The Science Behind the Study

This investigational therapy in patients with lupus who have active disease is called CABA-201. CABA-201 is a chimeric antigen receptor, or CAR T-cell therapy. Patients in the study get their blood drawn and filtered through a machine in a process called apheresis. This process separates platelets or white blood cells, parts of the blood while returning the rest of the blood to the body. This trial isolates the T Cells in the blood, allowing researchers to genetically modify or change them by putting in a “code” to add the CAR. Using this method, researchers can identify, raid, and eliminate the B cells in the patient's body. Once the T cells are changed, they are multiplied to produce the required dose of CABA-201 cells within the body. Once the CABA -201 cells are injected into the patient's body, they attack the B cells, eliminating them and enabling healthy B cells to appear in the body.

Conclusion

Overall, the main goal of this investigative study is to see if this method can be safe and effective for patients with a single dose. While this is still in the clinical trial phase, if successful, this one-time dose can correct a patient's life-altering disease and provide a better quality of life. Lupus patients, as well as people with other diseases, can finally live a life without the fear of getting sick and constant pain.

Citations

CAR-T Cell Therapy Shows Promising Results for People with Lupus and Other

Autoimmune Diseases | Lupus Foundation of America. (2024, February 23). Lupus Foundation of America. https://www.lupus.org/news/cart-cell-therapy-shows-promising-results-for-people-with-lupus-aD-other-autoimmune-diseases

Lupus - Symptoms & causes - Mayo Clinic. (2022, October 21). Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/lupus/symptoms-causes/syc-20365789

O’Mary, L. (2024, July 10). Unlocking lupus: potential cause and cure identified. WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/lupus/news/20240710/unlocking-lupus-potential-cause-and-cure-identified