A groundbreaking trial is underway in the UK, offering new hope for individuals with severe lupus. The treatment, involving CAR T-cell therapy, has shown early promise in eliminating the need for lifelong medication and potentially curing the autoimmune condition.
CAR T-cell Therapy for Lupus
CAR T-cell therapy, previously used primarily in cancer treatment, is now being explored for its potential in autoimmune diseases like lupus. In lupus, B cells become overactive, producing autoantibodies that attack healthy tissues. The therapy involves genetically modifying the patient's immune cells to recognize and target these problematic B cells.
UK Trial Details
The trial, led by University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH) and University College London (UCL), has already treated three patients with severe lupus. Katie Tinkler, a 50-year-old mother of three from Guildford, is among the participants. She expressed her excitement about the trial, stating, "If this works, it’s life changing. Up ’til now, there’s never been anything for lupus that is a possible cure."
Promising Early Results
Early results from the trial suggest that this one-time therapy could "revolutionise treatment" for lupus. In Germany, patients who received CAR T-cell therapy over a year ago are now in remission and no longer require lupus drugs. Katherine from Manchester, the first British patient to undergo the treatment, reported feeling "more energy" and experiencing no joint swelling after just a few weeks.
Expert Perspectives
Professor Ben Parker, consultant rheumatologist and study lead at the Manchester Royal Infirmary, highlighted the potential of CAR T-cell therapy to offer a "very radical treatment for lupus." He explained that current treatments primarily suppress the immune system and are only partially effective for many patients. In contrast, CAR T-cell therapy has the potential to induce drug-free remission.
Dr Maria Leandro, UCLH consultant rheumatologist, expressed hope that the trial would replicate the positive results seen in a small German trial, which showed improvement in lupus patients treated with CAR T-cell therapy.
Trial Specifics
The specific CAR T-cell therapy used in the study is obecabtagene autoleucel (obe-cel), with Autolus Limited sponsoring the clinical trial. Patients undergoing the therapy require a 10-day hospital stay and are informed of potential side effects, such as increased susceptibility to infections. The study is set to follow patients for 15 years to assess the long-term efficacy and safety of the treatment.
Lupus: A Chronic Autoimmune Disease
Lupus affects an estimated 69,000 individuals in the UK, predominantly women. Symptoms can vary in severity but often include joint pain, skin issues, fatigue, and inflammation of vital organs. Current treatments typically involve lifelong medication, ranging from anti-inflammatories to immunosuppressants and biological drugs. This new therapy offers hope for a more permanent solution for those with severe lupus.
