Lupus & antiphospholipid syndrome
Heterogeneous responses of IM19 anti-CD19 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy in refractory systemic lupus erythematosus: an open-label pilot study and a mini-review
Authors' conclusion
IM19 CAR T-cell therapy demonstrated a favourable safety profile and clinically meaningful systemic improvement. Responses to CAR-T therapy in LN were variable. Chronic renal manifestations, podocytopathy, and ageing were associated with suboptimal therapeutic outcome.
Study context
- Population
- Patients with refractory systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and renal involvement
- Participants
- 6 patients
- Outcome
- SLEDAI-2K score
- Follow-up
- Day 90 and day 180
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Median SLEDAI-2K at baseline (range 10-24)
12
Median SLEDAI-2K at day 90 (range 2-8)
4
Median SLEDAI-2K at day 180 (range 2-6)
5
Further findings
Renal response
- Complete responders
- 2
- Partial responders
- 2
- Nonresponders
- 2
- Heterogeneous
Repeat renal biopsies (day 180)
- No B-cell infiltration, but dominant chronic changes and podocytopathies post-CAR-T
B-cell reconstitution (single-cell analysis)
- Patients with B-cell reconstitution
- 3/6
Mini-review: renal complete response rate of CAR-T therapy in lupus nephritis (LN)
- Renal complete response rate
- 72.4%
- Advanced age associated with suboptimal response
Safety
| Outcome | Values |
|---|---|
| Mild cytokine release syndromeTherapy well tolerated | IM19 4 events |
Original publication
Heterogeneous responses of IM19 anti-CD19 CAR T-cell therapy in refractory systemic lupus erythematosus: an open-label pilot study and a mini-review. Ann Rheum Dis. Published 5 February 2026. doi:10.
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