Good news!
"Immune cells called ‘natural killer’ (NK) cells could be supercharged to attack cells that fuel autoimmune diseases such as lupus and systemic sclerosis. Two small clinical trials suggest that researchers can genetically engineer NK cells to assassinate the renegade cells that produce antibodies against the body’s own tissues. NK cells can be taken from donor blood, making the treatment potentially much cheaper than another, similar approach called CAR-T-cell therapy, which must be manufactured from a person’s own T cells."
From the highlights and abstract:
"Highlights
• QN-139b is an iPSC-derived CD19/BCMA dual-targeting CAR-NK product
• QN-139b showed minimal toxicity in a patient with severe refractory systemic sclerosis
• QN-139b reversed fibrosis and restored skin and vascular structure in the patient
• QN-139b reduced autoantibodies, depleted pathogenic B cells, and induced immune rest
Summary
This study reports the first-in-human application of iPSC-derived CD19/BCMA dual-targeting chimeric antigen receptor-natural killer (CAR-NK) cells (QN-139b) in a patient with severe, diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis. The allogeneic product was genetically edited for reduced alloreactivity and improved in vivo performance, with no structural chromosomal abnormalities detected. The treatment led to significant B cell depletion with minimal toxicity, similar to CAR T cell therapy.
The patient showed marked clinical improvements during the 6-month follow-up, including reduced autoantibodies and reversed fibrosis, which are resistant to conventional treatments.
Single-cell analysis of peripheral blood revealed that the treatment shifted B cells toward more naive phenotypes and eliminated pathogenic B cells.
Proteomic studies demonstrated suppression of inflammation and fibrosis, enhanced tissue regeneration, and improved angiogenesis.
Pathological evaluation confirmed the elimination of infiltrated lymphocytes from affected skin along with restored skin and microvascular structure.
These findings suggest QN-139b is a promising immune-modulatory treatment for severe autoimmune diseases."
Turbocharged ‘killer’ cells show promise for autoimmune disease "Experimental treatment could offer a safer, cheaper alternative to CAR-T-cell therapies for disorders such as lupus."
Graphical abstract
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