Frontiers in Rheumatology and Immunology: From CAR-T Clinical Trial Approvals to Global Breakthroughs in Lupus, Sjögren’s Syndrome, and Rheumatoid Arthritis

1. Juventas' CAR-T New Drug Clinical Trial Approved

On April 24, 2025, information disclosed on the website of the Center for Drug Evaluation under the National Medical Products Administration showed that the New Drug Clinical Trial Application (IND) for Juventas' self-developed Naciaurel Cell Injection for the treatment of refractory lupus nephritis has received tacit approval. This is the third IND approval that the injection has obtained in the field of autoimmune disease treatment.

2. CAR-T Therapy Improves Condition of Child with Lupus Erythematosus

On April 29, according to the People's Daily Health Client, Professor Jianhua Mao, Vice President of the Children’s Hospital affiliated with Zhejiang University School of Medicine, introduced that three refractory systemic lupus erythematosus patients, aged fifteen or sixteen, showed significant improvement in their condition after receiving CAR-T therapy. They have currently stopped all medications but still require long-term follow-up observations.

3. The 16th International Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Conference to Be Held

News on April 21, 2025: The 16th International Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Conference will be held in Toronto, Canada, from May 21 to 24. The theme of the conference is "Lupus 2025: Gateway to the Future," focusing on the latest advances, etiology, personalized diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment methods of systemic lupus erythematosus.

4. Successful Treatment of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus with Diffuse Alveolar Hemorrhage by Plasma Exchange

On May 2, 2025, the Pharmaceutical Information Network reported a case of a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus whose condition continued to progress and developed diffuse alveolar hemorrhage after two rounds of methylprednisolone pulse therapy. Clinical improvement was eventually achieved after therapeutic plasma exchange and another round of steroid pulse therapy.

1、Research Progress of Telitacicept in Sjögren's Syndrome

On April 9, the Phase III clinical trial data of Telitacimab for the treatment of myasthenia gravis attracted attention. As an autoimmune drug, its potential has already been proven in areas such as lupus erythematosus, and it is also under research for Sjögren's syndrome. The Phase III clinical trial of Telitacimab for Sjögren's syndrome in China completed patient enrollment in May 2024, and dosing and follow-up are currently underway. Its Phase III clinical trial in the United States has also received FDA approval.

2. Progress Made in Nicarlimab Treatment for Sjögren's Syndrome

In November 2024, Nipocalimab was granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation by the FDA for the treatment of moderate to severe Sjögren's syndrome. In the Phase 2 DAHLIAS study, patients receiving a 15mg/kg dose showed over 70% improvement in disease activity scores at week 24. The FDA and EU are expected to announce their review results in the first half of 2025.

1、Shenzhen Institute of Technology Team Achievements

On April 21, 2025, Professor Zhang Peng's team from the School of Biomedical Engineering at Shenzhen Institute of Technology, in collaboration with Liu Chengbo and Chen Jingqin's team from Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, published their findings in Cell Reports Medicine. They explored new inflammation-targeting diagnostic and therapeutic technologies, verifying the importance of the RhoA gene in regulating osteoclast formation and its potential as a therapeutic target for rheumatoid arthritis. They developed the SMART strategy, using macrophage membrane carriers rich in phosphatidylserine to deliver CRISPR-Cas9 specifically to macrophages, editing RhoA with minimal toxicity, opening a new avenue for gene therapy in rheumatoid arthritis.

1、"Terms in Rheumatology and Immunology" to be published soon

A book on standardized professional terminology is about to be published, providing more accurate term references for academic exchange and research in the field of rheumatology and immunology.

2、"Synopsis of Internal Medicine by Harrison: Musculoskeletal and Connective Tissue Diseases" published

Provides more authoritative reference materials for the diagnosis and treatment of rheumatology and immunology related diseases.

3. The 4th Academic Conference on Rheumatic Immune Diseases of the Rheumatology and Immunology Committee of the Chinese Women Doctors Association Successfully Concludes

The conference focused on the field of rheumatology and immunology, promoting academic exchange and cooperation, and advancing the development of the discipline.

4. Professor Zhan-Guo Li on JAK1 Inhibitors

China's Self-Developed Highly Selective JAK1 Inhibitor Emerges in Small-Molecule Targeted Therapy, Offering a New Precision Treatment Option for Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis.

5. Preview of the 2025 Frontier Forum on Rheumatology and Immunology

The 20th China Rheumatology and Immunology Diagnosis and Treatment New Progress Workshop is about to be held, providing a platform for the exchange of the latest academic trends and clinical experiences in the field.