A groundbreaking approach to treating autoimmune diseases – resetting the immune system – is showing promise, potentially offering lasting remission for patients who haven’t responded to traditional therapies. This innovation, initially developed for blood cancers, could significantly improve the lives of individuals grappling with chronic autoimmune conditions.
Autoimmune diseases affect an estimated 5 to 10% of the global population, according to the Global Autoimmune Institute. These conditions occur when the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues and organs, creating internal conflict within the body. While current treatments can manage symptoms, many patients experience limited relief.
The modern strategy centers on CAR-T cell therapy, which has demonstrated encouraging results in severe and treatment-resistant autoimmune diseases. Experts are hopeful that this approach could lead to complete and sustained remissions, eliminating the require for long-term immunosuppressant medication.
“CAR-T therapy would allow for a profound reset of the immune system, with the potential to induce complete remission in severe patients, avoid years of chronic immunosuppression and reduce long-term side effects,” explained Dr. Andrea Buschiazzo, a specialist in autoimmune diseases and global research director in rheumatology at Fortrea.
Originally designed for hematologic cancers, or cancers of the blood, the science behind CAR-T cell therapy has evolved to address the complexities of autoimmune disorders. The therapy offers a novel option for managing autoimmune pathologies that are difficult to treat.
The potential benefits of this therapy extend beyond symptom management. Researchers aim for a total disappearance of symptoms without relapse, freeing patients from the ongoing burden of immunosuppressive drugs.
The immune system requires balance: an excess of activity can cause allergies and autoimmune diseases, warned Professor Daniel M. Davis.
Understanding the intricacies of the immune system is crucial, as an overactive system can also lead to allergies or autoimmune reactions. Professor Daniel M. Davis, an expert in immunology from Imperial College London, emphasized the importance of maintaining equilibrium within the immune system. He explained that its primary function is to maintain balance in the body, effectively combating viruses while avoiding attacks on healthy tissues.
According to Davis, indiscriminate attempts to “boost” the immune system can be misleading and potentially harmful. He cautioned that a hyperactive immune system can trigger allergies or autoimmune diseases.
A new medication for chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP), an autoimmune disease affecting the peripheral nervous system, is now available in Argentina. This condition involves the immune system attacking the myelin sheath surrounding nerves, leading to loss of strength and sensation in the limbs. The new treatment, a facilitated subcutaneous immunoglobulin (IGSCf) consisting of 10% human immunoglobulin with recombinant human hyaluronidase, is administered via injection every three to four weeks.
“The approval of facilitated subcutaneous immunoglobulin for the treatment of CIDP is highly good news, as the medication has shown excellent results in the treatment of a condition for which we have very few therapeutic options,” said Dr. Alberto Daniel Rivero, head of the clinical neurophysiology service at FLENI and director of the Myasthenia Gravis Clinic at the same institution.
The medication, approved by the National Administration of Medicines, Food and Medical Technology (ANMAT), and presented by Takeda, offers an innovative maintenance therapy to prevent disease progression after initial stabilization.
Factors like aging and genetic changes can also weaken the immune system, increasing inflammation and susceptibility to autoimmune diseases.
