Researchers testing CAR T-Cell therapy to treat multiple sclerosis
UC expert featured in Precision Medicine Online article
The University of Cincinnati's Aram Zabeti was featured in a Precision Medicine Online article discussing a new trial testing CAR T-cell therapy to treat multiple sclerosis.
UC is a trial site for the Phase 1 Breakfree-2 trial, sponsored by Bristol Myers Squibb. MS occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks the myelin that protects and covers nerve fibers, disrupting the communication between the brain and the rest of the body and leading to a wide range of symptoms.
In CAR T-cell therapy, patient's immune cells are collected and genetically modified to recognize and eliminate the malfunctioning immune cells that drive MS. Once modified, they are infused back into the patient.
"We want to make sure they're safe," and that the new cells do not cause additional harm or damage, said Zabeti, associate professor of neurology at UC’s College of Medicine and director of the Waddell Center for MS. "We're hoping [patients] might not need any re-treatment," he added, but that's an area in need of further study.
Read the Precision Medicine Online article.
Read more about the trial at UC.
For more information on trial eligibility and enrollment for this and other MS trials open at UC, please contact trial coordinator Sara Esmaeli at esmaeisr@ucmail.uc.edu.
Featured photo at top illustrating CAR-T cells attacking a malfunctioning immune cell. Photo/selvanegra/iStock Photo.
Related Stories
University of Cincinnati’s IDD Education Center to Host Ninth Annual Red & Black Blast
December 18, 2025
The University of Cincinnati’s IDD Education Center will host its ninth annual Red & Black Blast on February 25, 2026, at Tangeman University Center. The signature event celebrates and supports the Center’s four programs—CEES, TAP, IMPACT Innovation, and RAAC—which create pathways in education, employment, and community life for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
How to find joy while caregiving through the holidays
December 18, 2025
The University of Cincinnati's Robert Neel was featured in an AARP article discussing the biology of holiday stress for caregivers and ways to manage these intense emotions.
PhD student uses engineering to understand cardiovascular system
December 17, 2025
Drawn to the University of Cincinnati for the strong reputation in cardiovascular research and the connections with the UC Medical Center, Shrayesh Manegaonkar is pursuing a PhD in mechanical engineering at the College of Engineering and Applied Science. Recently, he was named Graduate Student Engineer of the Month for his work on biofluid mechanics, aiming to develop better diagnostic tools for cardiovascular diseases.