Disappearance of antiphospholipid antibodies after anti-CD19 chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy of B-cell lymphoma in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus and antiphospholipid syndrome

Abstract

Antiphospholipid syndrome is an autoimmune disorder characterized by the development of spontaneous venous, arterial, or microvascular thrombosis and/or pregnancy-related complications (eg, miscarriages, fetal loss) in the presence of persistent antiphospholipid (aPL) antibodies. Current state-of-the-art treatment consists of indefinite anticoagulation with vitamin K antagonists to prevent recurrence of thrombotic events. This, however, represents only a symptom-control-oriented treatment approach. To date, no curative option eradicating aPL antibodies permanently or addressing the underlying pathomechanism has been established. Here, we report the case of a woman with systemic lupus erythematosus and antiphospholipid syndrome with triple aPL antibody-positivity who developed recurrent deep venous thrombosis. After receiving chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy for aggressive B-cell lymphoma, sustained eradication of all 3 aPL antibody subtypes was observed, suggesting a promising role of immunotherapies targeting anti-CD19 for the treatment of prothrombotic autoimmune disorders.

Keywords: CAR T-cell; antiphospholipid syndrome; autoimmunity; thromboembolic events; thrombosis.