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A case study from Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin has demonstrated that the cancer medication teclistamab induced full remission in a 23-year-old female patient suffering from severe systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). This case suggests that teclistamab, typically used for multiple myeloma, could offer a new approach to managing lupus, though further research is needed to confirm its effectiveness.
The patient, who had previously been wheelchair-bound due to debilitating symptoms affecting her skin, joints, kidneys, and blood, experienced significant improvement after five injections of teclistamab. Within six months of starting treatment, her lupus symptoms had subsided, and no signs of the disease were detectable in laboratory tests. While the results are promising, researchers emphasize that more data is necessary to understand the long-term impact of this treatment.
Teclistamab, an antibody used to treat cancer, had not been previously tested in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus. The treatment was suggested after the patient had exhausted all standard therapies, including cortisone and immunosuppressants. The bispecific antibody targets and destroys plasma cells, which produce the autoantibodies that attack the body’s tissues in lupus. After five weeks of treatment, the patient’s organ function improved, and her symptoms subsided. Despite discontinuing other medications, no autoantibodies have been detected since mid-April, raising the possibility that the treatment could be beneficial for severe lupus cases.
Systemic lupus erythematosus is a difficult autoimmune disease to manage, particularly in severe cases where existing treatments often fall short. The results seen with teclistamab in this case may provide an alternative option for patients who do not respond to conventional therapies. However, this therapy is still in the early stages of investigation and presents risks, including serious immune reactions. While its potential to offer remission without the need for chemotherapy is worth exploring, more studies are required to determine whether teclistamab can offer sustained benefits for lupus patients.