UK patients receive groundbreaking Lupus therapy

Three patients in the UK have undergone a revolutionary new treatment for lupus, sparking hope for a future where lifelong medication might no longer be necessary. The NHS trial, led by University College London Hospitals (UCLH) and University College London (UCL), is testing CAR T-cell therapy—a treatment previously used only for cancer—on patients with severe lupus.

CAR T-cell therapy works by genetically modifying a patient’s cells to train the immune system to recognize and eliminate problematic cells. Unlike current treatments for lupus, which require ongoing immunosuppressive drugs, this therapy may provide a one-time solution. Early results are promising, with patients in Germany who received the treatment over a year ago now in remission and free of medication.

A life-changing opportunity

Among the first UK patients to benefit is Katie Tinkler, a 50-year-old mother of three from Guildford. After living with debilitating symptoms, including joint pain and kidney disease, for 30 years, Mrs. Tinkler described the trial as a life-changing opportunity. “The dream is to be lupus-free—that would be phenomenal,” she said, expressing her excitement and hope for the treatment’s success.

Katherine, a 32-year-old mother from Manchester and the first UK patient to receive CAR T therapy in July, shared a similarly emotional reaction. “I cried happy tears going home from that appointment,” she said. Before the trial, lupus had turned her life upside down, forcing her to leave her banking career and adapt to severe pain and fatigue. Just weeks after treatment, Katherine reports having more energy and no joint swelling.

Potentially curative

Lupus, an autoimmune disease affecting around 69,000 people in the UK, can range from mild to life-threatening, causing damage to organs such as the heart, lungs, and kidneys. Current treatments often involve lifelong medication, which may provide only partial relief and carry significant side effects. CAR T therapy could represent a radical shift, targeting the root cause of the disease and potentially providing a cure.

It's a significant milestone in our research into lupus. This ground-breaking new therapy could potentially lead to drug-free remission for patients with the most serious forms of the disease.
— Professor Ben Parker, consultant rheumatologist

Challenges and risks

While the treatment offers hope, it is not without risks. Patients undergoing CAR T require a 10-day hospital stay and face potential side effects, such as increased susceptibility to infections or immune overreaction. Despite these risks, many patients with worsening lupus are eager to participate in the trial.

The ongoing study will follow participants for 15 years to fully assess the long-term effects of the treatment. With plans to enrol 12 patients worldwide, researchers aim to replicate the positive outcomes seen in a small German trial.

A new era for autoimmune diseases?

Dr. Maria Leandro, a UCLH consultant rheumatologist, hopes the success of CAR T therapy in cancer can extend to autoimmune diseases like lupus. “It’s an incredibly exciting time,” she said. If proven effective, this treatment could open the door to new possibilities for patients with other autoimmune conditions, including multiple sclerosis.

For patients like Katie and Katherine, CAR T-cell therapy represents more than a medical breakthrough—it’s a chance to reclaim their lives.