New treatment for lupus could end the need for lifelong medication as the CAR T-cell therapycommonly used in cancer patients, could lead to treatment of the disease.
Doctors hail ‘groundbreaking new therapy’ for lupus that genetically modifies patients’ cells to fight the autoimmune disease. Patients often have to take medication throughout their lives, from ibuprofen to tablets and injections of steroids or other immunosuppressive drugs. About 5 million people worldwide are believed to suffer from lupus, which mainly affects women.
Lupus: Which patients have received the treatment
In the UK, three patients were treated with CAR T-cells for the most severe form of lupus, which can be life-threatening and cause damage to the heart, lungs, brain and kidneys. In Germany, patients who underwent the new treatment are now in remission and do not need to take lupus drugs.
Professor Ben Parker, consultant rheumatologist at Manchester Royal Infirmary, said he believed the discovery could revolutionize treatment for lupus patients and could lead to a cure for the disease. “Lupus is a disease that requires lifelong medication, but this treatment has the potential to change that, which is incredibly exciting. This groundbreaking new treatment marks an important milestone in our lupus research.”
Until now, CAR T-cell therapy has mainly been used in cancer patients, but researchers believe it could treat a range of other diseases. It works by genetically modifying cells to allow the body’s own immune system to recognize and attack the problem cells, offering people a potential cure.
Britain’s first patient, 32-year-old Catherine, was treated at the National Institute for Health and Care Research Manchester’s Manchester Clinical Research Center in July. Two other patients in the UK were treated at University College Hospital, with one of them – 50-year-old Katie – receiving the treatment last week.
Lupus: Patients will be followed for 15 years
Katie, from Guildford, Surrey, who has suffered from lupus for 30 years with symptoms including joint pain and kidney disease, said she was “overwhelmed” to take part in the trial. “If this works, it’s life-changing. Until now, there has never been anything about lupus that is a possible cure. The dream is to be wolf free, that would be amazing,” he said.
Patients receiving the new treatment will be followed for 15 years to fully evaluate the results. Doctors hope that this treatment could potentially cure those suffering from the most severe form of the disease. Even after a few weeks, Kathryn said she felt she had “more energy” and no more joint swelling, adding: “I feel optimistic about the future.”
People undergoing the new treatment require a 10-day hospital stay and are told about possible side effects. This includes the fact that their immune system is very sensitive to an infection for several weeks or another condition that causes their immune system to go into overdrive.
However, many patients whose lupus worsens and may experience kidney failure, for example, may decide the risks are worth it. The treatment with lymphocytes is called obecabtagene autoleucel.
Dr. Eleni Tholoulis, director of the adult stem cell transplant unit at Manchester Royal Infirmary, said: “It is an incredibly exciting time to now offer this treatment modality to lupus patients through this clinical trial. We hope it will deliver positive results and revolutionize treatment options for patients with the disease.”
Source: Guardian
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**Interview with Professor Ben Parker on Groundbreaking CAR T-cell Therapy for Lupus**
**Editor**: Joining us today is Professor Ben Parker, a consultant rheumatologist at Manchester Royal Infirmary, to discuss the revolutionary CAR T-cell therapy for lupus. Thank you for being here, Professor Parker.
**Professor Parker**: Thank you for having me.
**Editor**: Professor, you’ve described the CAR T-cell therapy as a “groundbreaking new therapy” for lupus. Can you explain how this treatment works?
**Professor Parker**: Certainly! CAR T-cell therapy involves genetically modifying a patient’s own T-cells to better recognize and attack the autoimmune cells contributing to lupus. By harnessing the body’s immune system in this way, we aim to provide patients with a lasting solution, potentially ending their need for lifelong medications.
**Editor**: That sounds incredible. How has this therapy performed in early trials, particularly for the most severe forms of lupus?
**Professor Parker**: In the UK, three patients suffering from the most severe form of lupus have already undergone this treatment. Notably, patients in Germany who received CAR T-cells have entered remission and are currently medication-free. It’s a promising indication of the therapy’s efficacy.
**Editor**: What do you believe this therapy could mean for the future of lupus treatment?
**Professor Parker**: I genuinely believe this could revolutionize the way we approach lupus. Traditionally, patients have had to manage their condition with long-term medications—some for their entire lives. This therapy has the potential to significantly change that narrative and may one day lead us to a complete cure for lupus.
**Editor**: Given that lupus primarily affects women and millions suffer globally, what does this mean for the overall healthcare landscape?
**Professor Parker**: The impact could be substantial. As awareness and understanding of lupus grows, and with the advent of treatments like CAR T-cell therapy, we can pave the way for more effective management and possibly a cure, improving the quality of life for millions.
**Editor**: Thank you, Professor Parker, for shedding light on this revolutionary treatment. We look forward to seeing how this advances in the future.
**Professor Parker**: Thank you for having me. It’s an exciting time for lupus research!
