Study Suggests CAR T-Cell Cancer Therapy Could Be A Game Changer For Lupus Patients
Lupus is a condition that can cause inflammation and tissue damage throughout the body. There is currently no cure for lupus, although a new study is providing hope for patients. The small study, published in Nature Medicine, examined five people with severe Lupus who had not previously responded positively to other therapies. These people were then treated with CAR-T therapy, a therapy used to treat some types of cancer by removing T-cells from the body, training them in labs to respond to other cells, then putting them back in the body to treat the cancer.
After three months, the patients in the study showed improvement in their lupus symptoms and did not require further treatment. "Severe [lupus] is very sensitive to CAR-T cell treatment, and [people] can go into longstanding drug-free remission," said study author Dr. Georg Schett (via US News). Side effects from CAR-T therapy were also mild. Because this was a small study, more research is needed, but scientists are hopeful that this treatment will become an option for more lupus patients in the future.
What is Lupus?
Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that can damage any part of the body. The body's immune system attacks healthy tissue, causing inflammation and tissue damage, and can affect the skin, joints, kidneys, brain, and other organs (via Mayo Clinic). There is no cure for lupus, but it can be managed with medication and lifestyle changes. Early diagnosis and treatment are important to prevent serious health complications.
The cause of lupus is unknown, but it is thought to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Lupus can cause a wide range of symptoms, from mild to severe. The most common symptoms are fatigue, joint pain, rashes, and fever. Lupus can also cause kidney damage, heart problems, and other serious health complications. Lupus is typically treated with medications that reduce inflammation and suppress the immune system, but i some cases, surgery may be necessary to remove damaged organs. Lifestyle changes, such as getting enough rest and exercise, can also help manage the symptoms of lupus.