- Rheumatology
- 3 min read
In an Australian-first, Monash Health in collaboration with Monash University, has successfully treated a patient with the autoimmune condition lupus with CAR (Chimeric Antigen Receptor) T-cell therapy.
“It is absolutely a game changer for the treatment of autoimmune disease,” said Associate Professor Alberta Hoi, Monash Health Consultant Rheumatologist and Clinical Trial Lead.
As widely reported by the media, patient Lani Watson was among 21 people worldwide to receive the therapy as part of a clinical trial. She was the only person to be treated in Australia.
‘Lani’s response to the treatment has been fantastic – she’s now off her immunosuppressant that she was previously dependent on. This new treatment offers significant hope for people suffering with lupus.’
Life-changing treatment
Lupus is a chronic autoimmune illness in which the body’s immune system attacks its normal cells. It can affect different parts of your body, commonly leading to skin problems, joint pain and fatigue.
Before the treatment at Monash Medical Centre in June 2024, Ms Watson experienced sharp pain that made every day hard.
“The symptoms rolled throughout my whole body, basically every joint was impacted. My day-to-day life, getting to work, duties around the home – it was really tough,” said Ms Watson.
The 32-year-old, an AFL player for the Queanbeyan Tigers, is now back to doing the things she loves.
‘The new CAR T-cell therapy is amazing. I’m now in remission, playing footy again and without pain.’
‘Thank you to the Monash Health team and everyone involved in the trial for giving me my life back.’
Advancing care
CAR T-cell therapy is an innovative treatment, which was initially developed to treat certain kinds of tumour and blood diseases, such as lymphomas and leukaemias.
The personalised therapy re-engineers a patient’s immune cells to target and eliminate harmful immune responses.
Monash Health was chosen as the first site in Australia to analyse the safety and efficacy of the treatment for lupus. It opens the door to new therapies for other autoimmune diseases.
‘CAR T-cell therapy is in the new frontier of treatments, and Monash Health has demonstrated it has the infrastructure and expertise to deliver this treatment and how well it can work – delivering life-changing results for people like Lani,’ said Professor Jake Shortt, Clinical Director of Monash Health Haematology and Head of Haematology Research, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University.
‘By trialing new treatments like this, people in Melbourne’s South-East and across Victoria now have world-leading and cutting-edge treatments closer to home.’
This trial is a collaborative venture between the Rheumatology and Haematology clinical research teams at Monash Health.
‘We are incredibly proud of the Monash Health team for their groundbreaking work in successfully treating the first lupus patient in Australia with CAR T-cell therapy,’ said Professor Eugine Yafele, Chief Executive Officer of Monash Health.
‘This innovative approach, developed in collaboration with Monash University, marks a significant milestone in the treatment of autoimmune diseases and offers hope to countless patients who have been waiting for better solutions.’
‘The dedication and expertise of our staff continue to redefine what is possible in healthcare, and we celebrate their commitment to improving lives through cutting-edge research and compassionate care.’
Women mainly impacted
Around 90 per cent of the people diagnosed with lupus are female.
The disease mostly affects people between 20 to 40 years old, but it can also occur in newborns, children and older adults.’
‘For too long it’s been very poorly understood and there simply haven’t been the treatments that women need and deserve’, said Victoria’s Minister of Health, Mary-Anne Thomas.
Meeting with Lani and members of the treatment team at Monash Health Translation Precinct, the Minister called the treatment milestone a ‘breakthrough’ and said Victoria was a global leader in medical research.
