- 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.
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