Innovation in Treating Severe Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia

For autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA), treatment options differ based on subtypes (warm, cold, and mixed), and relapses are common after initial treatment. In some cases, AIHA can be refractory to multiple agents. Several novel options in clinical trials target the pathogenesis, which involves autoreactive B or plasma cells.

Here, investigators report on use of anti-CD19 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy to eradicate autoreactive B cells. The study included 11 patients (5 compassionate use and 6 in a phase 1 study) with refractory AIHA (median of 6 prior immunosuppressive treatments).