CD19-directed chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapies are showing promise in treating patients with a variety of refractory autoimmune and rheumatic diseases. Data from the CASTLE basket study and a phase 1 clinical trial for CC-97540 (Bristol Myers Squibb) were presented at the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) Convergence 2024, revealing encouraging safety and efficacy signals.
Clinical Trial Data
Georg Schett, MD, vice president research and chair of internal medicine at the University of Erlangen – Nuremberg, presented data from the two studies. The research focused on diseases including systemic lupus erythematosus, systemic sclerosis, and myositis. The studies evaluated the use of CAR-T cell therapy in patients with severe, refractory autoimmune conditions where conventional treatments have failed.
Key Findings
According to Dr. Schett, relapse rates have been low in CAR-T trials for autoimmune diseases. "The relapse rate is very low, and there have been occasional relapses reported in the field by other studies, but also with low dose CAR T-cell therapy, because that was the starting dose. So, this has to be interpreted in the right way, and I would say that relapses occur, of course, nothing is 100%, but so far, it looks that most of the people enjoy a drug free remission for a long time."
Advancements in Manufacturing
An important aspect highlighted was the development of faster manufacturing processes for CAR-T therapies. The process used to manufacture CC-97540, for example, reduced manufacturing time to 5 days. This advancement could potentially decrease treatment costs and improve accessibility for patients in need.
