ADSCC Achieves Milestone With First CAR-T Cell Therapy For Lupus Patients In The Middle East

Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Centre (ADSCC) has achieved a significant milestone by successfully administering Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell Therapy (CAR-T) to a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in the Middle East. This marks a major advancement in personalised treatment for autoimmune diseases. Lupus, which affects the immune system by attacking healthy tissues, is prevalent globally, with 43.7 cases per 100,000 people, and is notably common in the Middle East.

The patient, aged 60, had been battling lupus for over a decade, relying on daily medications that caused severe side effects. Despite ongoing treatments, her condition worsened, leading to frequent hospitalisations due to severe drops in red blood cell and platelet counts. CAR-T therapy emerged as her only viable option to manage the disease and enhance her quality of life.

CAR-T therapy has shown success in treating hematological malignancies and holds promise for autoimmune diseases like lupus. In this innovative treatment, T-cells from the patient's immune system were extracted and reprogrammed at ADSCC’s advanced GMP laboratories. These modified cells target and destroy rogue B cells responsible for autoimmune attacks.

Once reinfused into the body through intravenous injection, these T-cells halted the disease progression and reset the immune system. The five-week treatment was conducted at Yas Clinic operated by ADSCC, which is the only FACT-accredited center for cellular therapy processing in UAE and a Center of Excellence in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation.

Clinical trials have demonstrated that patients with severe lupus resistant to traditional treatments achieved complete remission after CAR-T therapy. They remained symptom-free for years without needing additional medication. This transformative breakthrough offers new hope for those suffering from autoimmune disorders.

Prof. Yendry Ventura, CEO of ADSCC and Principal Investigator of ADSCC’s CAR-T Research Project, highlighted this achievement's significance: "Since 2023, ADSCC has pioneered CAR-T therapy in the Middle East, expanding its use from blood cancers to complex autoimmune diseases like Lupus."

Leadership and Commitment

Dr. Fatima Al Kaabi, Executive Director of the Abu Dhabi Bone Marrow Transplant Programme at ADSCC, expressed optimism about this breakthrough: "This breakthrough in CAR-T therapy brings renewed hope to lupus patients." She emphasised their commitment to advancing personalised medicine with transformative treatments that improve patient health and well-being.

Three months post-treatment, the patient's platelet count and hemoglobin levels are stable with significantly reduced symptoms. Despite advancements in pharmaceuticals, 10% of lupus patients still experience active flares leading to severe organ damage.

Future Prospects

Certain clinical trials involving CAR-T therapy for SLE patients have shown notable clinical improvements. Antibody levels declined without flares or immunosuppressive medication needs post-treatment. This indicates drug-free remission and improved quality of life.

ADSCC remains dedicated to advancing CAR-T therapy research further while expanding its application across autoimmune and inflammatory conditions regionally and globally.

With inputs from WAM