Groundbreaking therapy could revolutionise treatment for lupus
Related: Scientists Say Epstein-Barr Virus May Trigger Lupus Disease
Patients with severe lupus in the UK have achieved remission following a pioneering “immune reset” treatment using CAR T-cell therapy on the NHS.
This marks the first time CAR T-cell therapy, previously used for cancer, has been applied to lupus in the UK, offering a potential cure and removing the need for lifelong medication.
The single-dose therapy works by genetically modifying a patient’s own cells to re-engineer the immune system to recognise and attack problematic cells, potentially removing the need for lifelong medication.
A trial led by University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH) and University College London (UCL) saw five out of six severe lupus patients achieve remission within months.
Experts describe the findings as “truly groundbreaking,” suggesting the therapy could deliver an immune reset and potentially offer a cure for lupus, though larger studies are needed.
