Novartis: Three deaths put CAR-T expansion into autoimmune diseases on hold
Novartis has paused eight clinical trials of its CD19 CAR-T therapy rap-cel after three patients died from a severe immune reaction. The studies are evaluating the therapy in autoimmune and neurological diseases including lupus, systemic sclerosis, myositis and multiple sclerosis. The move highlights the safety challenges of taking CAR-T beyond oncology into chronic immune-mediated diseases.

