On December 9, 2024, Nature magazine revealed its annual list of the top 10 people in science, spotlighting individuals who made major impacts over the past year. Among them was Dr. Xu Huji, Director of Rheumatology at the Second Affiliated Hospital of the Naval Medical University (Shanghai Changzheng Hospital). Recognized for his groundbreaking work in autoimmune disease treatment, Dr. Xu made history as the first to successfully apply universal CAR-T cell therapy in this field.
In July 2024, Dr. Xu’s team published a landmark study in Cell, detailing the first-ever use of allogeneic (donor-derived) CAR-T cells to treat severe autoimmune conditions. The therapy uses genetically engineered T cells from healthy donors to target CD19 on B cells, a key player in many autoimmune diseases. The CAR-T product used was named TyU19.
The trial’s initial patients included individuals suffering from immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy (IMNM) and diffuse systemic sclerosis, both severe and difficult-to-treat rheumatic conditions. After a single treatment, patients began showing remarkable improvements. One female patient with IMNM regained the ability to lift her arms and comb her hair just two weeks post-treatment. The two other patients, both men with systemic sclerosis, also showed progressive symptom relief.
Six months later, all three patients maintained long-term remission, with clinical and laboratory evaluations confirming the treatment’s safety and effectiveness. Dr. Xu recalled the intense anticipation following treatment: “I couldn’t sleep that night—these were critically ill patients. But we finally felt some relief when their conditions stabilized.”
CAR-T cell therapy has already revolutionized blood cancer treatment, with the U.S. FDA approving six CAR-T therapies since 2017. More recently, the technique has shown promise in autoimmune diseases such as lupus and multiple sclerosis. However, existing CAR-T therapies are autologous, requiring the patient’s own cells—making the process costly and time-intensive.
Dr. Xu’s research marks a major breakthrough: demonstrating that off-the-shelf, donor-derived CAR-T therapies are not only feasible but potentially scalable for autoimmune diseases. This innovation could drastically improve access and reduce costs, opening the door to wider clinical adoption.
By October 2024, Dr. Xu’s team had treated 24 patients using different types of universal CAR-T cells, all with promising results. “Our study shows tremendous potential for this therapy’s safety and efficacy,” Dr. Xu said. “We’re entering a new era in treating immune disorders.”
Dr. Xu’s inclusion in Nature’s Top 10 underscores the global importance of his work, positioning China at the forefront of next-generation immunotherapies. As clinical trials continue, universal CAR-T therapy could become a transformative solution for millions affected by autoimmune diseases worldwide.
