Chinese Medical Journal (May 2024)

Dawn of CAR-T cell therapy in autoimmune diseases

  • Yuxin Liu,
  • Minghao Dong,
  • Yunhui Chu,
  • Luoqi Zhou,
  • Yunfan You,
  • Xiaowei Pang,
  • Sheng Yang,
  • Luyang Zhang,
  • Lian Chen,
  • Lifang Zhu,
  • Jun Xiao,
  • Wei Wang,
  • Chuan Qin,
  • Daishi Tian,
  • Ting Gao

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1097/CM9.0000000000003111
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 137, no. 10
pp. 1140 – 1150

Abstract

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Abstract. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy has achieved remarkable success in the treatment of hematological malignancies. Based on the immunomodulatory capability of CAR-T cells, efforts have turned toward exploring their potential in treating autoimmune diseases. Bibliometric analysis of 210 records from 128 academic journals published by 372 institutions in 40 countries/regions indicates a growing number of publications on CAR-T therapy for autoimmune diseases, covering a range of subtypes such as systemic lupus erythematosus, multiple sclerosis, among others. CAR-T therapy holds promise in mitigating several shortcomings, including the indiscriminate suppression of the immune system by traditional immunosuppressants, and non-sustaining therapeutic levels of monoclonal antibodies due to inherent pharmacokinetic constraints. By persisting and proliferating in vivo, CAR-T cells can offer a tailored and precise therapeutics. This paper reviewed preclinical experiments and clinical trials involving CAR-T and CAR-related therapies in various autoimmune diseases, incorporating innovations well-studied in the field of hematological tumors, aiming to explore a safe and effective therapeutic option for relapsed/refractory autoimmune diseases.