In a pioneering achievement for the Middle East, the Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Centre (ADSCC) has successfully utilized Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell Therapy (CAR-T) to treat a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a serious autoimmune disorder. This marks the first application of CAR-T therapy for lupus in the region, providing new hope for patients suffering from this debilitating condition.
Lupus, characterized by the immune system's attack on its own tissues, can cause widespread inflammation and damage to various organs including the skin, joints, lungs, heart, and kidneys. The patient, a 60-year-old woman who has lived with lupus for over a decade, had previously relied on daily medication that led to significant side effects and frequent hospitalizations.
The innovative treatment involved extracting the patient's T-cells, reprogramming them in ADSCC’s state-of-the-art GMP laboratories to target and destroy the rogue B cells responsible for the autoimmune attacks, and then reintroducing them into the patient's body. This procedure not only halted the progression of the disease but also helped to reset the patient's immune system.
Performed at the Yas Clinic, operated by ADSCC—the only FACT-accredited center for cellular therapy processing in UAE and a Center of Excellence in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation—the treatment saw the patient achieve stable platelet count and hemoglobin levels with significantly reduced symptoms, three months post-therapy.
Prof. Yendry Ventura, CEO of ADSCC and Principal Investigator of ADSCC's CAR-T Research Project, highlighted the significance of this breakthrough, "Our success in treating Lupus here in Abu Dhabi is a major milestone, made possible by our commitment to translational research and clinical trials. Guided by the UAE's leadership, we are advancing cancer and autoimmune treatments using genetically modified immune cells, delivering life-changing care."
Dr. Fatima Al Kaabi, the Executive Director of the Abu Dhabi Bone Marrow Transplant Programme at ADSCC, also commented on the impact of this development. "This breakthrough in CAR-T therapy brings renewed hope to lupus patients and highlights our commitment to advancing personalized medicine with transformative treatments that improve patient health and well-being."
This development not only underscores the UAE’s growing prominence in medical innovation but also demonstrates the potential of CAR-T therapy to extend beyond cancer treatment to address complex autoimmune diseases like lupus, potentially offering a sustainable solution free from long-term medication.
