Thousands of people in the UK living with lupus, an incurable autoimmune condition, could see new hope after Dr Oscar Duke discussed a groundbreaking treatment on BBC Morning Live. The therapy, known as CAR T-cell therapy, aims to 'reset' the immune system and has left some patients symptom-free for years.
What is Lupus?
Lupus, or systemic lupus erythematosus, is a long-term condition where the immune system attacks healthy tissues and organs. Its cause is unknown, and symptoms vary widely, making diagnosis difficult. Dr Oscar noted that during medical training, students learn lupus 'can cause almost any medical symptom that you can think about'. The NHS lists possible symptoms including joint and muscle pain, extreme tiredness, facial rashes triggered by sun exposure, headaches, mouth ulcers, high temperatures, hair loss, weight loss, swollen glands, depression, anxiety, chest or stomach pain, and changes in finger or toe colour in cold or stress.
Symptoms often fluctuate between flare-ups and periods of remission, though some people experience persistent symptoms.
Current Treatments and Their Drawbacks
Existing treatments work by suppressing the immune system to prevent it from attacking the body, but this also increases susceptibility to other infections. Dr Oscar explained that this approach leaves patients vulnerable.
CAR T-Cell Therapy: A 'Control, Alt, Delete' for the Immune System
The new treatment, CAR T-cell therapy, involves extracting T cells from the patient's blood, modifying them, and reintroducing them to target and eliminate B cells—the cells that trigger autoimmune attacks in lupus. Dr Oscar described it as 'control, alt, delete' for the immune system. However, he cautioned that the therapy also removes healthy B cells, leaving patients at higher risk of infections until the immune system regrows and resets.
Three years after treatment, several lupus patients show no symptoms. Dr Oscar added that if successful for lupus, the therapy might also work for other autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis.
Hope and Caution
While the therapy offers remarkable promise, Dr Oscar emphasised the need for caution due to the temporary increased infection risk. The development has been welcomed by celebrities including Halsey and Selena Gomez, who have spoken about living with lupus.
