CAR-T Cell Therapy: The New Medicine for Autoimmune Diseases

As of July 2024, several ongoing clinical trials are investigating CAR T cell therapy for autoimmune diseases. Here are some key details:

Multiple trials are evaluating anti-CD19 CAR T cells for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE):
o Several clinical trials have been registered worldwide and are in the recruiting process, testing both autologous anti-CD19 and anti-BCMA CAR T cells in SLE patients.
Trials for other autoimmune conditions:
o A clinical trial is in the recruitment phase for antisynthetase syndrome, a form of myopathy.
o There are ongoing trials for myasthenia gravis using anti-B cell maturation antigen (BCMA) CAR T cells.
Broader autoimmune disease focus:
o A study at the Mayo Clinic is exploring BAFFR-based CAR T cells for autoimmune rheumatologic disorders, including SLE, rheumatoid arthritis, and ANCA-associated vasculitis.
Growing interest in the field:
o The number of clinical trials for CAR T cell therapies in autoimmune disorders has increased significantly in the last seven years, reflecting the hope and potential of this approach.
Expanding targets:
o While most trials focus on targeting CD19 or BCMA on B cells, researchers are also developing chimeric autoantibody receptor T cells to eliminate specific autoantibody-producing B cell clones, as well as regulatory CAR T cells to dampen autoimmune activation.

These trials aim to validate the promising early results seen in individual case reports and small studies, addressing aspects such as efficacy, safety, and long-term outcomes in larger patient populations. The field is rapidly evolving, with new trials likely to emerge as research progresses.

September 2024 Update:
SOME OF ISRAEL’S RENOWNED HOSPITALS HAVE LAUNCHED CAR-T PROGRAMS FOR AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES.
The conditions that can be treated with CAR-T therapy include: