CAR-T cells in the treatment of neurological autoimmune diseases

Abstract

Chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CAR-T cells) have revolutionised cancer treatment by offering personalised therapy of unprecedented efficacy to patients with relapsed B-cell malignancies and myeloma. CAR-T cells are designed selectively to target CD19 or other B-cell antigens with high affinity, leading to a potent immune response and effective killing of malignant B cells. More recently, CAR-T treatment has been shown to be safe and effective in a very limited number of patients with severe, refractory autoimmune conditions such as systemic lupus erythematosus, systemic sclerosis and myositis. This paper describes the early use and feasibility of CAR-T therapies in the treatment of refractory autoimmune neurological diseases.Copyright © Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2026. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ Group.