Longevity & AgingCAR T-Cell Therapy Sends Refractory Rheumatoid Arthritis Into Remission in Early Trial
A small but promising phase I trial has shown that CAR T-cell therapy — best known as a cancer treatment — may work against severe, treatment-resistant rheumatoid arthritis. Six patients who had failed three to eight prior biologic drugs received engineered immune cells targeting B cells. Four achieved major reductions in disease activity, three reached clinical remission by 36 weeks, and all six saw drops in the autoantibodies that drive joint damage. This is notable because rheumatoid arthritis was not traditionally considered a B-cell disease, but the seropositive subtype does involve these immune cells. The results, presented at a major rheumatology conference, suggest CAR T-cell therapy could eventually offer a reset for patients with no remaining treatment options.
