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Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center is pioneering a “new revolution” in the treatment of chronic, debilitating autoimmune diseases by repurposing advanced cellular therapies previously reserved for cancer treatment. This innovative work, led by a unique collaboration between rheumatology and blood and marrow transplant experts, is focused on developing a potential one-and-done cure that could eliminate the need for lifelong medication for millions of Americans.
- Innovative Cellular Therapy: Rheumatologist Alicia Lieberman, MD, MS is collaborating with Chief of Blood and Marrow Transplant Shernan Holtan, MD to adapt cellular treatments, such as CAR T-cell therapy, for autoimmune conditions. The goal is to use a single infusion to “reset” the immune system, training the patient’s body to target and eliminate the cells causing tissue and organ destruction.
- Diseases Targeted: Dr. Lieberman’s current focuses are addressing the needs of patients living with systemic lupus, lupus nephritis, systemic sclerosis and multiple sclerosis (MS). She is looking at bone marrow transplants (also known as stem cell transplants) as a way to treat forms of MS and systemic sclerosis, and also hopes to study the effect of CAR T-cell therapy for rheumatoid arthritis, myositis, Sjogren’s disease and some pediatric autoimmune diseases.
- Patient Impact: Autoimmune diseases profoundly change the trajectory of patients’ lives, often requiring them to take multiple medications every day. Denise Herkey-Jarosch, a 54-year-old Buffalo native, was diagnosed with MS when she was 24 and has struggled to balance lifestyle changes and medications to control the disease.
