Autologous CD19 Car T-Cell Therapy For Severe Refractory Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)
Trial Parameters
Brief Summary
This pilot clinical study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy in treating severe, refractory systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), an autoimmune disease driven by autoreactive B-cells. Current treatments for severe SLE, including glucocorticoids, cytotoxic, and immunosuppressive drugs, have significant limitations. These treatments do not adequately control the underlying autoimmune process and require long-term use, leading to chronic side effects and often failing to prevent permanent organ damage. Given the high prevalence and mortality rates associated with SLE in regions like Asia and Malaysia, there is a pressing need for more effective therapies.
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: \- Aged between ≥ 18 to ≤ 65 years Clinical Diagnosis of SLE according to the 2019 European League Against Rheumatism/American College of Rheumatology (EULAR/ACR) classification criteria (Fanouriakis et al., 2019) Positive anti-nuclear antibody (ANA) (titer ≥1:80 ), anti-dsDNA (≥30 IU/mL on enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay \[ELISA\]), or anti-Smith at screening or by documented medical history Active disease (defined by not being in remission according to DORIS criteria or in a low disease activity state \[LLDAS\]) (Franklyn et al., 2016, van Vollenhoven et al., 2021) With at least one active organ system involvement Persistent active disease with insufficient response to glucocorticoids and at least 2 of the following treatments for at least 3 months each: cyclophosphamide, mycophenolate mofetil or its derivatives, belimumab, azathioprine, anifrolumab, methotrexate, rituximab, obinutuzumab, cyclosporin, tacrolimus or voclosporin. Serum ALT \<5 times the normal val