Anti‐ CD19 CAR T Cells in Autoimmune Encephalitis: Inflammation Controlled, Neurodegeneration Unchecked?

Annals of Clinical and Translational Neurology 2026 Open access

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Authors: Dimitrios Mougiakakos, Marwa Al‐Dubai, Denise Walther, Dominic Borie, Jan D. Lünemann, M Pawlitzki, S G Meuth, Solveig Henneicke, Stefan Vielhaber, Stefanie Schreiber
DOI: 10.1002/acn3.70414
Cited by: 1
References: 11

Abstract

Just recently, successful chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy was reported in the first patient with refractory, anti-diacylglycerol lipase alpha (DAGLA) antibody-mediated autoimmune encephalitis, achieving partial clinical remission. We now provide extended follow-up demonstrating a stable, relapse-free clinical course and persistent suppression of autoantibodies. However, the patient exhibited progressive neurodegeneration despite sustained control of B cell-mediated inflammation. This dissociation between immune quiescence and structural decline highlights that CAR T cell therapy, while highly effective in extinguishing inflammation, may not be sufficient to prevent or reverse ongoing neuronal damage in disorders characterized by both inflammation and neurodegeneration.

Fields of Study & Subjects

CAR-T cell therapy research Autoimmune Neurological Disorders and Treatments Monoclonal and Polyclonal Antibodies Research

Publication details

Journal / source
Annals of Clinical and Translational Neurology
Publisher
Wiley
Volume
13
Issue
8
Pages
1697–1701
Publication date
24 April 2026
Language
EN