A therapy currently used against cancer has the potential to “revolutionise” treatment for lupus, a condition caused by the immune system mistakenly attacking its own tissues and organs.
That’s according to scientists behind a new trial that will test the effectiveness of CAR-T (chimeric antigen receptor T-cell) therapy on lupus patients.
CAR-T therapy involves removing a patient’s white T blood cells and genetically modifying them to recognise and attack problem-causing cells, in particular B cells. Because B cells are also a major factor in lupus, scientists believe that CAR-T could treat this condition, too.
Researchers hope that one-off CAR-T therapy will reduce, or even remove, the need for life-long medication for patients with lupus. Lupus symptoms include joint and muscle pain, tiredness and rashes. Around 70,000 people in the UK alone have the condition, 90% of them women.
The trial is being run by University College London. “Lupus is a disease that requires life-long medication, but this therapy has the potential to change that, which is incredibly exciting,” said Prof Ben Parker, consultant rheumatologist at Manchester Royal Infirmary, which is taking part in the trial.
Image: Sasun Bughdaryan