Innovative CAR T Cell Therapy Brings New Hope for Lupus Treatment

Breakthrough in Lupus Research

In a significant development, the Lupus Research Alliance (LRA) has awarded the 2024 Lupus Insight Prize to Drs. Marko Radic and Georg Schett for their pioneering work in CAR T cell therapy aimed at treating lupus. This announcement was made during the recent Federation of Clinical Immunology Societies (FOCIS) 2024 meeting held in San Francisco.

The Lupus Insight Prize is a prestigious award given to researchers who have made substantial breakthroughs in understanding lupus, specifically in its development, diagnosis, or treatment over the last five years.

Understanding Lupus and Its Challenges

Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease where the body's immune system mistakenly attacks its own tissues and organs. This can result in widespread inflammation and damage, affecting the kidneys, brain, heart, lungs, blood, skin, and joints. The disease is particularly prevalent among women and disproportionately affects people of color.

Current treatments for lupus mainly focus on managing symptoms and preventing flare-ups, but there is no cure. This has driven scientists to explore new and innovative treatment options.

What Is CAR T Cell Therapy?

CAR T cell therapy is an advanced form of immunotherapy that involves reprogramming a patient's T cells to attack specific cells that are contributing to their disease. Initially used in cancer treatment, CAR T cell therapy is being adapted to treat autoimmune diseases such as lupus.

The process involves extracting T cells from the patient, genetically modifying them to express receptors that recognize disease-causing cells, and then reintroducing these modified cells into the patient’s body. These engineered T cells then target and destroy harmful cells, thereby mitigating the disease.

Dr. Marko Radic's Groundbreaking Research

Dr. Marko Radic has played a crucial role in advancing CAR T cell therapy for lupus. His research has focused on using CAR T cells to target CD19, a protein found on B cells, which are vital in the disease's progression. By targeting and eliminating these B cells, his approach has shown promising results in reducing lupus symptoms in mouse models.

Dr. Radic's findings indicate that CAR T cell therapy not only reduces disease progression but also sustains its effects for months post-treatment, making it a highly promising treatment avenue.

Future Directions in CAR T Cell Therapy Research

With the Lupus Insight Prize, Dr. Radic aims to investigate further into the process of trogocytosis, where CAR T cells consume a portion of the target cell's membrane. Understanding this process is essential as it might affect the longevity and effectiveness of the CAR T cells, potentially impacting the therapy's overall success.

This research will guide the development of more effective CAR T cell therapies and potentially provide a long-term solution for lupus patients.

Dr. Georg Schett’s Clinical Advancements

Building on the foundational work of Dr. Radic, Dr. Georg Schett has made significant strides in translating these preclinical findings into clinical applications. His clinical studies have shown encouraging results, with patients demonstrating marked improvement in lupus symptoms after receiving CD19-targeted CAR T cell therapy.

Particularly, Dr. Schett's study revealed that most patients achieved drug-free remission and showed no detectable disease activity, even as their B cells began to return.

Implications for Future Lupus Treatment

Dr. Schett's ongoing research includes assessing the extent of B cell depletion in lupus patients' lymph nodes to optimize CAR T cell therapy further. These findings could lead to improved treatment strategies and better long-term management of lupus.

About Lupus Research Alliance

The Lupus Research Alliance is the largest non-profit funder of lupus research globally. The organization focuses on advancing innovative treatments, nurturing scientific talent, and driving discoveries toward a cure. With 100% of donations supporting lupus research programs, the LRA plays a crucial role in the fight against lupus.

For more information, visit the Lupus Research Alliance at LupusResearch.org.