UAE's breakthrough CAR-T therapy for Lupus patients

In a remarkable medical breakthrough, the Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Centre (ADSCC) has successfully performed Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell Therapy (CAR-T) for a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), marking the first-ever use of this advanced treatment for lupus in the Middle East.

This innovative step offers new hope for patients, particularly those who have not responded to traditional therapies.

Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes the immune system to attack the body’s own healthy tissues. This leads to inflammation, pain, and potential damage to organs, including the skin, joints, kidneys, heart, and lungs.

The 60-year-old patient in this case, had been struggling with severe symptoms for over 10 years, was no longer responding to conventional treatments. CAR-T therapy was used to reprogram her immune cells to target the rogue B cells causing the autoimmune response.

Three months after treatment, her health significantly improved, with stable blood counts and a reduction in lupus symptoms.

This success marks a major milestone in the UAE's commitment to advancing personalized medicine.

ADSCC plans to expand CAR-T therapy for other autoimmune diseases, reinforcing the UAE’s position as a leader in medical innovation.