CAR-T therapy in autoimmune disease is moving fast - but is it ready to move beyond specialized referral centers? This EULAR 2026 recap covers the mechanistic data, relapse biology, and access innovations shaping that answer.
Severe refractory systemic lupus erythematosus (srSLE) is a clinical state conceptualised as persistent high disease activity despite standard care with glucocorticoids and immunosuppressants.
In an oral abstract presentation on Wednesday 3rd June, Fredrik Albach presented results for mivocabtagene autoleucel – an autologous, fully human CD19-directed CAR-T cell therapy – from Phase 1 of the prospective, open-label COMPARE trial in six patients with anti-citrullinated protein antibody (ACPA)-positive, treatment-refractory active rheumatoid arthritis.
This update includes new pandemic era evidence, recombinant zoster vaccine data, and new perspectives on vaccination in patients taking novel immunosuppressants. Five overarching principles and 10 vaccine recommendations follow.
The EULAR 2026 Congress in London showcased growing interest in T-cell engagers as a novel strategy to achieve deep B-cell depletion and drug-free remission in refractory rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs).
It’s time for Rheumatology RoundUp from EULAR 2026 from London, UK. Drs. Artie Kavanaugh and Jack Cush review their choice presentations from the meeting, offering their perspectives on impact and applicability.
The emergence of large language models (LLMs) represents a promising shift in how complex diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are communicated and interpreted across both patient and clinical settings. Two EULAR 2026 abstracts highlight the evolving role of LLMs across this spectrum, from patient-facing education to diagnostic reasoning.
Dr. Sun et al. from Duke University presented abstract POS0692 during one of the poster sessions entitled, “Lupus patients with concurrent inflammatory activity and symptom burdens have the lowest medication adherence and experience distinct adherence barriers.” They evaluated differences in self-reported medication adherence and reasons for nonadherence across Type 1 & 2 SLE classification groups, with a prespecified focus on comparing
At EULAR 2026, investigators are presenting perhaps the most biologically compelling data yet from the REGENCY trial, with evidence that obinutuzumab induces deep intrarenal B-cell depletion alongside markedly higher rates of histological remission.
Day 3 was an interesting mix of posters, oral presentations, and review sessions on many practical subjects like osteoarthritis, large vessel vasculitis, systemic sclerosis, and pregnancy. Here are a few of my recommended abstracts from Friday at EULAR 2026.
Five years on, are we closer to licensing of the first CAR-T therapy in rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMD)?
There are so many SLE trials, and over the last year, many new ideas have been suggested.
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) often overlap. While there have been some therapeutic advances, significant needs remain around diagnosis and monitoring, with a gap around definitions and biomarkers for refractory disease or specific subsets. EULAR – The European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology – held its 2026 annual Congress in London, where new data showcased advances in the field.
The clinical abstract sessions on diagnostic tools in lupus showcased interesting studies, including the use of MRI as potential non-invasive biomarkers.
EULAR works with the network of national organisations of People with Arthritis/Rheumatism in Europe (PARE) to ensure the voices of people with RMD are heard and have influence – creating powerful alliances that make a real difference. Artificial intelligence is another potential ally in that fight. At the EULAR 2026 Congress in London, work was presented from three PARE initiatives that showcase how digital tools can be used in treatment
