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

A new study found CD19 CAR-T cell therapy to be a potentially safe and effective treatment for people living with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), idiopathic inflammatory myositis (a group of disorders characterized by inflammation of muscles used for movement), and systemic sclerosis (an autoimmune disease that makes your skin and organs stiff and scarred due to abnormal growth of connective tissue). 

Researchers studied 15 people, including 8 people with severe SLE. Before each person received a single infusion of CD19 CAR-T cells, they underwent chemotherapy to clear their immune system. After two years, researchers tested for efficacy and found people living with SLE or idiopathic inflammatory myositis had complete resolution of disease symptoms. Additionally, people living with systemic sclerosis saw their symptoms significantly improve with reduced severity of skin and lung disease. 

Researchers believe that a single injection of CD19 CAR-T cell therapy could possibly lead to long-lasting remission, but future clinical studies are needed to confirm sustained disease and drug-free remission. Learn more about treatments being studied for lupus.

Read the study