LONDON — A clinical trial using genetically modified immune cells has shown promising results for patients with severe lupus, with researchers reporting that several participants entered remission after receiving CAR T-cell therapy, according to investigators from University College London Hospitals (UCLH) and University College London (UCL). The findings, announced in June 2026, are part of an early-stage study examining whether the treatment can help patients whose disease has not responded to standard therapies.
The trial involved patients with severe systemic lupus erythematosus, an autoimmune condition in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own tissues and can cause inflammation and organ damage. Researchers said the treatment works by modifying a patient’s own T cells so they can target specific immune cells involved in the disease process.
UCLH and UCL researchers said that, in the initial NHS trial, several patients achieved remission after receiving the therapy. ITV News reported that five out of six patients in one group entered remission within months of treatment, while researchers said additional monitoring and larger studies are needed to assess the treatment’s long-term effectiveness and safety.
CAR T-cell therapy has previously been used mainly in certain cancers, where modified immune cells are designed to identify and attack cancer cells. Researchers are studying whether the same approach can be applied to autoimmune diseases by removing or altering immune cells that contribute to disease activity.
Dr. Claire Roddie of UCL said researchers were “really excited about the potential of CAR-T cell therapy for autoimmune diseases,” according to comments reported in connection with the trial. Scientists involved in the research have cautioned that the results are from a small patient group and do not yet establish the treatment as a widely available cure for lupus.
Other research groups have also reported encouraging findings involving immune cell therapies for lupus. A 2026 follow-up study published in Lupus Science & Medicine examined an experimental CAR T-cell approach called ICG318 in a small group of patients with refractory lupus and lupus nephritis, reporting sustained remission outcomes in many participants. Researchers said further investigation is required before broader clinical use.
Doctors said lupus treatment currently relies on medications that control immune activity and reduce inflammation, but some patients continue to experience disease activity despite available therapies. The latest trial results have led researchers to plan further studies to determine which patients may benefit most from CAR T-cell treatment and how durable the response may be.
As of Wednesday, researchers said the therapy remains under evaluation, and details on wider availability, long-term outcomes and regulatory approval remain unclear. Further clinical trials are expected to provide additional evidence on the safety and effectiveness of the approach.
