Autoimmune field buoyed by successes with CAR-T treatments

Isabella Cueto reports on major causes of death and disability, focusing on chronic diseases. Her work includes coverage of autoimmune disorders and diseases affecting the lungs, kidneys, liver, and more. She explores fascinating research, the potential and challenges of treatments, and strategies to alleviate the disease burden. Isabella can be contacted on Signal at isabellacueto.03.

Georg Schett faced a critical situation: a young patient gravely ill with lupus, and promising mouse studies suggesting that specialized T cells might control the disease.

The German physician-scientist was able to generate these cells, known as chimeric antigen receptors or CARs, at his institution. However, he encountered another obstacle: the patient’s parents. “They were like, ‘Don’t do that. You’re crazy,’” recalled Fabian Müller, Schett’s collaborator at the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg. At that time, there was a widespread fear that T cells could exacerbate autoimmune diseases.

The outcome was a rare scientific success story: the patient improved. Five years later, she remains in remission and is working in the same clinic where she received her treatment. Her experience revolutionized the field of autoimmune disease, spurring a surge in research and investment and providing new hope to millions of patients.

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