A groundbreaking treatment using donor-derived CAR-T cells has successfully induced remission in three patients from the Chinese mainland suffering from severe autoimmune disorders. This marks the first instance of using donor cells, as opposed to autologous cells, to treat autoimmune illnesses, paving the way for mass production of such therapies.
One of the recipients, Mr. Gong, a 57-year-old resident of Shanghai, battled systemic sclerosis—a condition that damages connective tissues and can lead to organ impairment and hardened skin. Remarkably, just three days after beginning the therapy, Mr. Gong regained mobility in his fingers and facial muscles, and his skin began to relax. He was able to return to his office job two weeks later and reports feeling significantly better after more than a year since treatment.
CAR-T cell therapy, which involves bioengineered and CRISPR-modified immune cells, has already shown promise in treating blood cancers. Its application to autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis and lupus represents a significant expansion of its potential uses. Traditionally, CAR-T therapy has been personalized, relying on a patient’s own immune cells, making it both costly and time-consuming.
The recent experiment, led by rheumatologist Xu Huji at Shanghai's Naval Medical University, has published its findings in the journal Cell. The three patients remained in remission for nearly six months following treatment. Xu Huji noted that an additional two dozen individuals have received the donor-derived therapy, with most outcomes being favorable.
“The clinical outcomes are phenomenal,” stated Lin Xin, an immunologist at Tsinghua University who is conducting a separate trial using donor-derived CAR-T cells to treat lupus.
In this therapy, T cells are extracted from donors and modified with CAR proteins to specifically target and eliminate B cells, including those that contribute to autoimmune diseases. These engineered T cells proliferate and eradicate harmful B cells after injection, allowing healthy B cells to regenerate without the pathogenic ones. While promising, experts like those at Nature highlight the potential for scalable production of generic CAR-T products, which could reduce costs and increase accessibility. However, ongoing research is necessary to fully understand and mitigate any associated risks.
Reference(s):
First therapy using donor cells puts autoimmune disorders in remission
cgtn.com
