CAR T: HOPE FOR CANCER PATIENTS WORLDWIDE

Update: 27/6/24

CAR-T cell therapy, originally developed for cancer treatment, is now showing promising results in treating autoimmune diseases. Here's an overview of recent developments:

  1. Mechanism and Approach:
    CAR-T therapy for autoimmune diseases involves genetically modifying a patient's T cells to target and eliminate B cells, which play a key role in driving autoimmunity. The modified T cells are designed to recognize CD19, a protein found on B cells.
  2. Clinical Results:
    A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine reported significant success in treating severe autoimmune diseases:
    • 15 patients with severe SLE (lupus), systemic sclerosis, or idiopathic inflammatory myositis were treated.
    • A single infusion of CD19 CAR-T cells eliminated or reduced symptoms and disease biomarkers.
    • Lupus patients showed no relapses for up to two years after treatment.
    • Myositis and sclerosis patients experienced significant symptom reduction.
  3. Advantages:
    • Deep depletion of B cells, potentially more effective than previous antibody therapies.
    • Patients maintained immunity to diseases they were previously vaccinated against.
    • Many patients became treatment-free after previously requiring multiple daily medications.
  4. Safety and Efficacy:
    • The treatment appeared to be feasible, safe, and efficacious in the three different autoimmune diseases studied.
    • However, longer-term follow-up and larger patient groups are needed to confirm these results.
  5. Future Prospects:
    • Clinical trials are ongoing, with researchers expanding studies to include more patients and longer follow-up periods.
    • Several companies are pursuing CAR-T therapy for autoimmune disorders.
    • While it's too early to definitively call it a cure, experts consider it potentially the best treatment available for these conditions.
  6. Challenges and Considerations:
    • The therapy is still in its early stages for autoimmune diseases.
    • Manufacturing and cost considerations need to be addressed for wider availability.

In summary, CAR-T cell therapy shows great promise for treating severe autoimmune diseases, offering hope for long-term remission or even potential cures. However, more research and clinical trials are needed to fully establish its efficacy and safety profile in this new application.

JULY 2024 UPDATE: LEADING HOSPITALS IN ISRAEL ARE PREPARING TO INTRODUCE A CAR-T CELL THERAPY PROGRAM SPECIFICALLY FOR AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES. REACH OUT TO US FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.

Sources:
BMJ Journals
The New England Journal of Medicine
Stat news
Pubmed