CAR-T Therapy Expands Beyond Cancer,Showing Promise in Autoimmune Disease Treatment
Philadelphia,PA – Pioneering work in CAR-T cell therapy,initially developed to fight cancer,is demonstrating remarkable potential in treating autoimmune diseases. This expansion of the therapy, spearheaded by researchers like Penn’s Carl June – recently honored with two awards – is fueling a surge in clinical trials globally.
Historically focused on oncology, CAR-T therapy involves engineering a patient’s own immune cells to recognize and attack specific targets. Recent studies, particularly those conducted by German professors George Schett and Andreas Mackensen, have revealed a 100% response rate in a small group of 15 patients suffering from autoimmune conditions like lupus, scleroderma, and myositis. One lupus patient treated with a single CAR-T infusion has remained in remission for three years.
The unexpected success in autoimmunity has spurred important investment and research.Capstan Therapeutics, a company co-founded to treat autoimmune diseases with CAR-T, was recently acquired by AbbVie for $2.1 billion. Currently, over 140 clinical trials worldwide are investigating CAR-T cell therapy for autoimmune diseases – a patient population far exceeding those with cancer. Trials are being conducted both within academic institutions like Penn and by pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.
Beyond autoimmune applications, researchers are exploring innovative approaches to CAR-T advancement. Scientists at MD Anderson Cancer Center are utilizing umbilical cord blood to grow CAR cells,offering an option to sourcing cells from cancer patients.Advances in lipid nanoparticles and in vivo viral delivery are also accelerating the field’s progress.
