Long-term outcomes of anti-CD19 CAR T cell therapy in refractory myasthenia gravis: A case series

Hegelmaier T, Motte J, Walther D, Feist E, Duscha A, Desel C, Pappa V, Böttcher M, Voigt M, Sgodzai M, Al-Dubai M, Schroers R, Borie D, Schett G, Mougiakakos D, Gold R, Haghikia A (2026)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2026

Journal

Cell Reports Medicine Elsevier

Book Volume: 7

Article Number: 103000

Journal Issue: 9

DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2026.103000

Abstract

Anti-CD19 CAR T cell therapy represents an emerging therapeutic approach for generalized, treatment-refractory myasthenia gravis (MG), a predominantly B-cell-mediated autoimmune disease for which durable treatment-free remission remains an unmet clinical goal. Despite recent advances, current targeted therapies generally require lifelong repeated administration and rarely induce durable treatment-free remission. We report on three patients with severe, treatment-resistant MG, including one patient with concomitant rheumatoid arthritis, treated with autologous, fully human anti-CD19 CAR T cells. All three patients achieve rapid, sustained clinical MG remission for at least 19 months, allowing discontinuation of MG-specific immunotherapies and substantial improvement in clinical and functional outcomes despite persistent detectable anti-AChR autoantibody titers. B cell depletion is profound, and treatment-related adverse events remain transient and manageable during long-term follow-up. These data support anti-CD19 CAR T cell therapy as a durable, effective intervention for refractory MG and warrant further evaluation in prospective controlled clinical trials.

Authors with CRIS profile

Georg Schett Lehrstuhl für Innere Medizin III

Involved external institutions

Otto-von-Guericke-Universität Magdeburg DE Germany (DE) Medizinische Hochschule Hannover (MHH) / Hannover Medical School DE Germany (DE) Universitätsklinikum Magdeburg A.ö.R. DE Germany (DE) Katholisches Klinikum Bochum (St. Josef- und St. Elisabeth-Hospital gGmbH) DE Germany (DE) Ruhr-Universität Bochum (RUB) DE Germany (DE) Kyverna Therapeutics, Inc. US United States (USA) (US)

How to cite

APA:

Hegelmaier, T., Motte, J., Walther, D., Feist, E., Duscha, A., Desel, C.,... Haghikia, A. (2026). Long-term outcomes of anti-CD19 CAR T cell therapy in refractory myasthenia gravis: A case series. Cell Reports Medicine, 7(9). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xcrm.2026.103000

MLA:

Hegelmaier, Tobias, et al. "Long-term outcomes of anti-CD19 CAR T cell therapy in refractory myasthenia gravis: A case series." Cell Reports Medicine 7.9 (2026).

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