As of July 2024, several ongoing clinical trials are investigating CAR T cell therapy for autoimmune diseases. Here are some key details:

  1. Multiple trials are evaluating anti-CD19 CAR T cells for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE):
    o Several clinical trials have been registered worldwide and are in the recruiting process, testing both autologous anti-CD19 and anti-BCMA CAR T cells in SLE patients.
  2. Trials for other autoimmune conditions:
    o A clinical trial is in the recruitment phase for antisynthetase syndrome, a form of myopathy.
    o There are ongoing trials for myasthenia gravis using anti-B cell maturation antigen (BCMA) CAR T cells.
  3. Broader autoimmune disease focus:
    o A study at the Mayo Clinic is exploring BAFFR-based CAR T cells for autoimmune rheumatologic disorders, including SLE, rheumatoid arthritis, and ANCA-associated vasculitis.
  4. Growing interest in the field:
    o The number of clinical trials for CAR T cell therapies in autoimmune disorders has increased significantly in the last seven years, reflecting the hope and potential of this approach.
  5. Expanding targets:
    o While most trials focus on targeting CD19 or BCMA on B cells, researchers are also developing chimeric autoantibody receptor T cells to eliminate specific autoantibody-producing B cell clones, as well as regulatory CAR T cells to dampen autoimmune activation.

These trials aim to validate the promising early results seen in individual case reports and small studies, addressing aspects such as efficacy, safety, and long-term outcomes in larger patient populations. The field is rapidly evolving, with new trials likely to emerge as research progresses.


June 2025 Update:
SEVERAL OF ISRAEL’S RENOWNED HOSPITALS HAVE LAUNCHED CAR-T PROGRAMS FOR RHEUMATOLOGICAL AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES.
The conditions that can be treated with CAR-T therapy include:

  • Lupus (SLE)
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Systemic Sclerosis (SSC), Scleroderma.
  • Dermatomyositis
  • Vasculitis
  • Sjögren’s syndrome

Contact us to check if you are eligible for this treatment.

Please note that an initial condition for eligibility is that the patient has failed at least 2–3 previous lines of treatment.

Sources:
BMJ Journals
Mayo Clinic
Pubmed
Chinese medical Journal