Agroundbreaking” drug is currently being trialed in the first British patients to treat autoimmune conditions like lupus and multiple sclerosis.
Three patients in the UK have received this lupus treatment through the NHS, and experts believe it could potentially eliminate the need for lifelong medication.
Until now, CAR T-cell therapy was only used for cancer patients in the UK, but there is now hope that it could be effective against various diseases, including lupus and multiple sclerosis.
What you didn’t know about Lupus, Multiple Sclerosis
Autoimmune conditions like Lupus occur when the immune system malfunctions and attacks healthy tissue.
In lupus, B cells become overactive and produce autoantibodies that target healthy cells.
Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune condition where the body attacks myelin, the tissue that insulates nerve fibers in the central nervous system, which includes the brain and spinal cord.
There is currently no known cure for multiple sclerosis.
What are the Symptoms of Lupus and Treatment involved
Lupus symptoms can range in severity but often include joint pain, skin problems, fatigue, and inflammation of vital organs.
Treatment usually involves lifelong medication, which can include simple anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen, steroids, and more complex immunosuppressants or biological drugs.
Medical professionals are optimistic that this new treatment, which genetically modifies the immune system to recognize and attack problematic cells, could prevent life-threatening damage to the heart, lungs, brain, or kidneys.
How many people have received the treatment?
A trial led by University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH) and University College London (UCL) has treated three individuals with severe lupus.
This condition is life-threatening and can harm vital organs such as the heart, lungs, brain, and kidneys.
Early results indicate that this one-time therapy could “revolutionize treatment” and eliminate the need for ongoing medication.
In Germany, patients who received CAR T-cell therapy over a year ago are now in remission and no longer need lupus medications.
The first patient in Britain to undergo this treatment was a 32-year-old mother named Katherine, who was treated at the National Institute for Health and Care Research Manchester Clinical Research Facility at Manchester Royal Infirmary in July.
More people to receive this ‘Groundbreaking’ Treatment?
Approximately 69,000 people in the UK are living with lupus, a condition that primarily affects women.
With a new study set to track patients for 15 years, there is hope that this treatment could potentially cure those with the most severe form of lupus.
Patients receiving CAR T therapy, which necessitates a 10-day hospital stay, are made aware of possible side effects, including an increased risk of infections for several weeks or a condition where the immune system becomes overly active.
Despite these risks, many individuals with worsening lupus symptoms and those facing kidney failure find the treatment to be worthwhile.
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