Immunotherapy Strategies for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Focusing on CAR-T Cell Therapy

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is an incurable autoimmune disease. The remarkable success of Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy in oncology has prompted its investigation for autoimmune conditions, particularly SLE.

This review synthesizes current evidence, primarily from the last five years, to elucidate the pathological basis, mechanisms, advancements, and future directions of CAR-T therapy for SLE.

Evidence indicates that CAR-T therapy, which targets pathogenic B cells or restores immune tolerance, is a promising intervention for SLE. Preclinical and early clinical data suggest it can effectively mitigate symptoms and may induce sustained, drug-free remission, representing a shift from chronic management.

CAR-T cell therapy represents a transformative potential for SLE treatment. Future efforts should focus on target optimization, safety enhancement, and validation of long-term efficacy in larger clinical trials.