Autoimmune diseases only show local pathological damage, but more often systemic lesions. If not diagnosed and treated in time or poorly controlled, a risk of disability or even death as the course of the disease progresses. Studies have shown that B cells can present their own antigens to autoimmune T cells to promote the release of inflammatory factors, or they can differentiate into plasma cells to release autoantibodies, and play an important role in the occurrence and progression of autoimmune diseases. In recent years, it has become a major research focus to deplete B cells in patients or inhibit B cell function. This research focuses on CAR-T cells killing B cells. Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is a systemic autoimmune disease characterized by chronic inflammation of salivary and lachrymal glands, frequently accompanied by systemic symptoms. The presence of various autoantibodies such as rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-SSA/SSB antibodies, as well as hypergammaglobulinemia, reflect B cell hyperactivity. About five percent of patients with SS develop malignant B cell lymphoma, usually of the mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) type and most frequently located in the major salivary glands. This fully reflects the application prospects of CAR-T cells in autoimmune diseases.~Based on the current research progress, our center intends to conduct research on the safety and effectiveness of CD19/BCMA CAR-T cells in the treatment of refractory systemic lupus erythematosus.
A Study of CD19/BCMA Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cells Therapy for Patients With Refractory Sjogren's Syndrome