Background: CD19-targeting chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells are highly efficient in B cell malignancies. However, CD19 CAR T cells also target autoreactive B cells that trigger autoimmune diseases (AID) including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), idiopahtic inflammatory myositis (IIM) and systemic sclerosis (SSc). Achieving long-term remission in AID with standard therapy remains challenging and usually necessitates long-term treatment.Aim: To test whether CD19 CAR T cells achieve a deeper reset of B cells, eradicate autoimmunity, and achieve lasting drug-free remission in autoantibody-dependent AID.Methods: Patients with treatment-refractory SLE, IIM and SSc were eligible if they had signs of active organ involvement, failure of multiple immunomodulatory therapies, and serious or immediately life-threatening disease. CAR T cell therapy was offered via an expanded access program. Autologous CD19 CAR T cells MB-CART19.1 were produced with the Miltenyi prodigy platform. After
………………………………
