Three patients in the UK have a received a ‘groundbreaking’ treatment for lupus, which could end the need for lifelong medication.
The NHS trial, led by University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH) and University College London (UCL), treated patients at the Manchester Royal Infirmary to test the effect of CAR T-cell genetic therapy on the autoimmune condition.
Professor Ben Parker, consultant rheumatologist at Manchester Royal Infirmary and study lead, said that the breakthrough could ‘revolutionise’ treatment for lupus patients, and might lead to a cure for the disease.
‘Lupus is a disease that requires lifelong medication, but this therapy has the potential to change that, which is incredibly exciting. This groundbreaking new therapy marks a significant milestone in our research into lupus.’
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About 5 million people worldwide are thought to have lupus, which mostly affects women.
Lupus is an autoimmune disease that can range from mild to severe, with symptoms including joint pain, skin problems, fatigue and inflammation of major organs. Patients often must take drugs their whole lives, such as ibuprofen, steroid tablets and injections, or other immunosuppressant and biological medicines.
The new treatment, CAR T-cell therapy, works by genetically modifying cells to enable the body’s own immune system to recognise and attack problem cells. Until now, the treatment has mostly been used in cancer patients, but researchers believe it could treat a range of other diseases.
Katherine, a 32-year-old woman, was the first British patient to receive the treatment at the Manchester Royal Infirmary in July. Within a few weeks she said that she had ‘more energy’ and no longer experienced joint swelling. ‘I am hopeful for the future’.
Two other UK patients with a serious form of lupus have undergone treatment at UCLH. In Germany, patients who have had the new treatment are now in remission and do not need to take lupus drugs.
People undergoing CAR T-cell therapy require a 10-day hospital stay and are warned of possible side-effects, such as their immune system being very susceptible to infection for several weeks or another condition that causes the immune system to go into overdrive.
However, with lupus being life-threatening, doctors and patients believe that the treatment and enrolling in these trials is worth the risk.
Dr Eleni Tholouli, director of the adult stem cell transplant unit at Manchester Royal Infirmary, said: ‘It is an incredibly exciting time to now offer this mode of treatment to lupus patients through this clinical trial, which we hope will provide positive outcomes and revolutionise treatment options for patients with the disease.’