CAR-T cells to treat severe forms of Lambert-Eaton syndrome

German researchers report the case of a patient with Lambert-Eaton syndrome (or LEMS, a presynaptic disorder of the neuromuscular junction very often of paraneoplastic origin) who benefited from an innovative therapy:

• the patient had an idiopathic form of LEMS,
• autologous anti-CD19 CAR-T cells were administered, resulting in selective depletion of B lymphocytesC’est une catégorie de globules blancs. Ces petites cellules au noyau arrondi et volumineux sont impliquées dans les aspects spécifiques des réactions immunitaires. Il existe deux catégories de lymphocytes les lymphocytes B (qui secrètent les anticorps) et les lymphocytes T.,
• positive results were observed both clinically (very significant improvement in walking perimeter) and biologically (significant drop in anti-CCVD (voltage-dependent calcium channel) autoantibodies),
• the beneficial effect appeared to be long-lasting, with good tolerability.

This work is an example of the growing importance of CAR-T cells as a therapeutic tool of the future.

Anti-CD19 CAR-T cells are effective in severe idiopathic Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome. J, Schnetzke U, Sayer-Klink A et al. Cell Rep Med. 2024 Nov.