Researchers testing CAR T-Cell therapy to treat multiple sclerosis

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.