Can a cancer therapy help treat autoimmune diseases?

This episode of In Focus by The Hindu explores the groundbreaking potential of CAR T-cell therapy in treating autoimmune diseases, following a landmark case in Germany where a woman with three severe autoimmune disorders achieved long-term remission after a single treatment. Originally developed for cancer, CAR-T therapy works by reprogramming a patient's T cells to target and destroy specific malfunctioning immune cells—particularly autoreactive B cells that attack the body in autoimmune conditions. The therapy acts like a 'factory reset' of the immune system, eliminating both harmful and healthy B cells so the body can regenerate a balanced immune response. While still in clinical trials and not yet widely approved, early results show promise for conditions like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and autoimmune hepatitis, especially those driven by B-cell dysfunction. However, the treatment comes with significant risks, including cytokine release syndrome and prolonged immunosuppression, and remains extremely expensive, though India has made progress with a locally developed, more affordable version. The episode concludes with cautious optimism: while CAR-T therapy may become the future standard of care for autoimmune diseases, it remains reserved for severe cases and is still years away from broad accessibility, especially in low- and middle-income countries.