CD19 CAR T Therapy Tested in Refractory Rheumatoid Arthritis

Disease activity fell in all six participants in a phase I trial, with three achieving sustained drug-free remission during follow-up

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CD19 CAR T therapy reduced disease activity in six patients with severe, treatment-refractory rheumatoid arthritis in a phase I trial.
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Three participants maintained remission without medication during follow-up, which lasted between 36 and 52 weeks.
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The study reported a median disease activity score reduction of 49% at week 24 and 34% at the latest follow-up.
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All participants experienced grade 1 or 2 cytokine release syndrome, which resolved, with no severe adverse events reported.
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The study will advance to a phase II trial comparing CD19 CAR T therapy with rituximab in ten additional patients.

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