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Lupus patients in England in remission after pioneering NHS trial of GM therapy
TL;DR
Five lupus patients in England have achieved remission after receiving a groundbreaking CAR T-cell therapy, which genetically modifies their own cells. This innovative treatment could potentially cure lupus and eliminate the need for lifelong medication.
Key points
- Five lupus patients in England are in remission after CAR T-cell therapy.
- The therapy genetically modifies patients' T lymphocytes to reset their immune system.
- It could eliminate the need for lifelong medication for lupus.
- Patients reported significant improvements in their symptoms and quality of life.
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CAR T-cell therapy
Five lupus patients in England are in remission after being treated with a revolutionary therapy that genetically modifies their own cells, in a medical breakthrough that could offer people a cure, doctors have said.
CAR (chimeric antigen receptor) T-cell therapy involves removing a type of white blood cell also called T lymphocytes, which are crucial for hunting out infected or damaged cells, and engineering them to spot and destroy disease. The T-cells are then fed back into the patient via an infusion to reset their immune system.
The therapy is already revolutionising cancer treatment. Now medics in London have successfully used the technique to effectively cure five NHS patients with severe lupus aged between 19 and 50.
CAR T-cell therapy, which patients only need to have once, could transform lupus treatment and remove the need for lifelong medication, doctors said.
One of the five patients said she no longer had any of the main symptoms of the disease more than three decades after her diagnosis. Katie Tinkler has also skied for the first time in a decade and was able to dance at her daughter’s wedding.
In an NHS trial led by University College London hospitals foundation trust (UCLH) and University College London (UCL), nine patients with severe lupus were recruited. They had not previously responded to any treatments. Most had lupus nephritis, a serious complication involving the kidneys.
Six patients received a lower dose of CAR-T and three got a higher dose. Five of those on the lower dose, who were followed up for an average of 11 months, went into remission within just a few months.
The three on the higher dose have only been followed up for three months so far, but doctors believe they too could achieve remission.
Tests showed patients experienced rapid improvements in markers of the disease, including a stabilisation or improvement in their kidney function, which had been damaged by lupus.
Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks healthy tissues, causing widespread inflammation and damage to organs such as the kidneys, lungs and heart.
It can range from mild to severe, with symptoms including joint pain, skin problems, fatigue and inflammation of major organs. About 5 million people worldwide are thought to have lupus, which mostly affects women.
Prof Karl Peggs, the director of UCLH’s biomedical research centre, said that while larger studies were needed, CAR T-cell therapy could offer people the chance of a cure. “These findings are truly groundbreaking and offer fresh hope to people living with lupus,” he said.
“While more research is needed, the possibility that CAR T-cell therapy could deliver an immune reset and potentially free patients from the cycle of chronic autoimmune disease marks a remarkable step forward.
Q&A
What is CAR T-cell therapy and how does it work?
CAR T-cell therapy involves modifying a patient's T lymphocytes to target and destroy disease, resetting their immune system.
How many lupus patients have benefited from the NHS trial in England?
Five lupus patients in England have achieved remission following the pioneering NHS trial of the therapy.
What are the potential implications of CAR T-cell therapy for lupus treatment?
CAR T-cell therapy could transform lupus treatment by potentially curing the disease and removing the need for lifelong medication.
What improvements have lupus patients reported after the therapy?
Patients have reported significant improvements, including the absence of main symptoms and the ability to engage in activities like skiing and dancing.
