CAR-T cell therapies have proven successful in destroying pathogenic B cells in blood cancers.
First clinical findings of engineered CAR-T cells depleting pathogenic B cells in progressive multiple sclerosis were published by Kyverna Therapeutics in March 2024.
Researchers identify potential new approaches for treating autoimmune disorders such as multiple sclerosis and lupus using CAR-T cell therapies.
Several companies and academic centers have launched trials to test CAR-T cell therapies for autoimmune disorders.
In recent developments, researchers have identified potential new approaches for treating autoimmune disorders such as multiple sclerosis and lupus using CAR-T cell therapies. These therapies, which have proven successful in treating blood cancers by destroying pathogenic B cells, hold promise for also addressing autoimmune conditions.
The first clinical findings of engineered CAR-T cells depleting pathogenic B cells in progressive multiple sclerosis were published by Kyverna Therapeutics in March 2024. This breakthrough added momentum to the field, with several companies and academic centers launching trials to test CAR-T cell therapies for autoimmune disorders.
Meanwhile, researchers at Northwestern University and Harvard Medical School identified a
Sierra Butler was diagnosed with lupus in 2020 after experiencing symptoms for years.
Butler’s CRP level was over 100, indicating high inflammation and leading to a cardiac ICU admission.
Doctors at Cleveland Clinic perfected a drug regimen that allowed Butler to walk and drive again.
Butler was offered the opportunity to participate in a complex clinical trial using CAR-T therapy for treatment-resistant lupus.
Five patients in the first study of CAR-T therapy for lupus saw their symptoms disappear and enter remission.
Accuracy
CAR-T therapy genetically modifies a patient’s white blood cells to attack problematic cells, most commonly used for cancer treatment.
iCell Gene Therapeutics presented a phase 1 study showing that a CAR-T therapy eliminated all autoantibodies in 11 out of 12 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, with those whose disease responded remaining clear for up to 4.5 years.
A new study about the underlying mechanisms of lupus was published in Nature on Wednesday.
People with lupus had higher levels of a specific T cell associated with antibody production.
The researchers identified insufficient activity of a receptor in the T cells as a potential root cause of the disease.
The study suggests that activating this receptor could lead to new treatments for lupus.
Accuracy
The new study about the underlying mechanisms of lupus was published in Nature on Wednesday.
Five patients in the first study of CAR-T therapy for lupus saw their symptoms disappear and enter remission.
Researchers identified a 'molecular switch' in lupus that could stymie harmful immune response.
Deception
(95%)
The article provides a detailed explanation of the study's findings and includes quotes from experts in the field. However, there are instances of selective reporting and emotional manipulation that reduce the article's score. The author focuses on the potential for a new treatment for lupus but fails to mention that this research is still years away from clinical application. Additionally, phrases like 'compelling idea,' 'promising pathway,' and 'optimistic about this leading to a new set of therapies' are used to manipulate the reader's emotions. These instances do not significantly impact the overall accuracy or intentional deception in the article.
But any potential treatment is still years away.
The study findings raise a ‘compelling idea’ for a novel way to treat lupus
The hope for a cure is premature, but the study findings are ‘a promising pathway to look at and think about in terms of providing a more sophisticated way of treating lupus.’
In March 2024, Kyverna Therapeutics published the first clinical findings of engineered CAR-T cells depleting pathogenic B cells in progressive multiple sclerosis.
Several companies and academic centers are launching trials to test CAR-T cell therapies as a new approach for autoimmune disorders.
CAR-T therapies have proven successful in treating blood cancers by destroying pathogenic B cells. Their potential lies in also treating autoimmune conditions, such as multiple sclerosis.
Researchers identified a 'molecular switch' in lupus that could stymie harmful immune response
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is a controller of the cellular seesaw and a cause of lupus. It activates genes important for IL-22-producing T cells and helps keep CXCL13 in check
Suppressing AHR lets harmful cells proliferate, while boosting AHR increases the presence of wound-healing T cells
Accuracy
No Contradictions at Time
Of
Publication
Deception
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Fallacies
(95%)
The author makes several scientific statements in the article that are not fallacies. However, there is an instance of an appeal to authority when the author quotes Jaehyuk Choi and Deepak Rao as experts in their field and implies that their research findings are valid. Additionally, there is a use of inflammatory rhetoric when the author describes lupus as a 'devastating story' and 'a loyal hero turns villain.' However, these instances do not significantly impact the overall quality of the article.
][Jaehyuk Choi] wondered if there was a molecular switch that sort of controlled how these cells can toggle between these two.[/
][Deepak Rao] and Choi found the switch.
[The investigators performed numerous tests, including using CRISPR to delete AHR and see what happened, running single-cell analysis, RNA sequencing, and studying patients on a lupus therapy.] The end result is a study that unites many of the abnormalities and imbalances that lupus researchers have reported for decades [Marta Alarcón-Riquelme]
