First Person Treated for Severe Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Using CAR-T Cell Therapy, CC-97540
A person has been treated with a novel CAR-T cell therapy, CC-97540 (BMS-986353), for treatment of severe systemic lupus erythematosus. CAR-T cell therapy reduces the number of disease-causing antibody producing cells and B cells(immune system cells involved in the production of autoantibodies and lupus disease activity). CAR T-cells are genetically altered T-cells, which are a part of the immune system.
To make CAR-T cells, scientists modify T-cells by adding chimeric antigen receptors (CARs), which target specific cells. The newly made CAR-T cells are then reintroduced back into the body. CC-97540 supplies a person’s immune T-cells with CD19, a protein found on the surface of B cells. When reintroduced to the person’s body, the modified T-cells (CAR-T cells) attack and destroy B-cells. The Phase 1, open-label study is currently enrolling patients.
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