Revolutionary CAR-T therapy: hope for lupus patients!

Revolutionary CAR-T therapy: hope for lupus patients!

Remarkable progress has been made in the treatment of autoimmune diseases at the University Hospital Erlangen. For the first time, CAR T cells were successfully used to help a 16-year-old patient with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). This represents a breakthrough in medical research and could have far-reaching implications for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. Loud fau.de This case shows how innovative approaches can help to significantly improve the quality of life of those affected.

The case of Thu-Thao V., who was diagnosed with SLE in 2017, is particularly impressive. SLE is a life-threatening autoimmune disease that primarily affects young women and causes the immune system to attack the body's own cells. Before CAR T-cell therapy, Thu-Thao had tried various immunosuppressive therapies, but without lasting success.

Initial treatment with CAR T cells

In March 2021, she became the first patient in the world to receive CAR-T cells for SLE. These genetically modified cells are designed to destroy B cells that produce antibodies against the body's own cells. After therapy, she reported disappearance of pain in her joints and complete recovery. Her heart rate dropped from 115-130 to 80 beats per minute, and she has been symptom-free for almost six months.

The impressive results of this therapy were published on August 5, 2021 in the New England Journal of Medicine. Scientists hope that clarifying how CAR T cells work will advance the development of autoimmune disease clinics. Loud dzi.uk-erlangen.de There are already plans for clinical studies to investigate further applications of this form of therapy.

Challenges of autoimmune disease

The disease SLE leads to severe inflammatory reactions in the organs and can sometimes cause serious symptoms such as joint pain, water retention, heart palpitations and hair loss. Taking up to 20 tablets a day was a reality for Thu-Thao V during her worst phase, which she can now put behind her.

It is estimated that SLE occurs in about 50 out of 100,000 people and can affect internal organs. Thermal innovations such as CAR-T cell therapy raise hopes of significantly improving quality of life and offering new perspectives for people with autoimmune diseases.

The German Center for Immunotherapy (DZI), which was founded in 2018, specializes in treating chronic inflammatory diseases and cancer with immunotherapy. The advances in research could be important not only for SLE patients, but also for the treatment of other autoimmune diseases.

With the combination of innovative research and practical results, the medical landscape of autoimmune diseases could change sustainably in the near future.