Today, the latest treatment for autoimmune diseases has become the focus of attention of doctors and researchers, due to the impact of these diseases on patients’ lives and their quality. Autoimmune diseases occur when the immune system attacks the body’s healthy cells and tissues by mistake, causing infections and chronic health problems. With scientific progress, innovative therapeutic techniques have emerged aimed at controlling symptoms, reducing inflammation, and preventing tissue damage, starting from biological medications to genetic therapies, to give hope of improving patients’ lives. In the coming lines with Al Mousa Specialist Hospital, we will review the latest treatment for autoimmune diseases that it offers.

How do autoimmune diseases affect the body?

Autoimmune diseases affect the body when the immune system malfunctions, so it treats the body’s normal cells and tissues as if they were foreign bodies that must be attacked, which leads to chronic inflammation and gradual damage to the affected organs. Its effect depends on the type of disease. It may affect the joints, as in rheumatoid arthritis, or the skin, as in psoriasis, or the endocrine glands, such as the thyroid gland, or even vital organs such as the kidneys and lungs. This may cause pain, swelling, constant fatigue, and disturbance in organ functions.

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Autoimmune diseases vary depending on the organs or systems they target, and the most common types are the following:

• Rheumatoid arthritis, in which the immune system targets the lining of the joints, causing inflammation, pain, and swelling that may lead to joint deformity and loss of function in the long term.
• Lupus erythematosus is a multisystem disease in which the immune system attacks the skin, joints, kidneys, heart, and lungs, and manifests itself with a variety of symptoms including rash, fever, and joint pain.
• Psoriasis is a disease that affects the skin and leads to an acceleration of the life cycle of skin cells, causing the accumulation of thick, scaly layers, itching, and inflammation in some cases.
• Type 1 diabetes: The immune system attacks the beta cells in the pancreas responsible for producing insulin, which raises the blood sugar level and requires insulin treatment.
• Multiple sclerosis targets the myelin sheath surrounding the nerves in the brain and spinal cord, hindering the transmission of nerve signals and causing muscle weakness and problems with movement and balance.
• Hashimoto's thyroiditis: The immune system attacks the thyroid gland, causing it to malfunction with symptoms such as fatigue, weight gain, and dry skin.

Methods of treating autoimmune diseases 

The latest treatment for autoimmune diseases includes a set of steps aimed at reducing excessive immune system activity, controlling symptoms, and preventing tissue damage. The most important of these methods are immunosuppressive medications such as corticosteroids and biosimilars, which help slow the immune reaction and reduce inflammation. Biological therapy is also used that targets specific molecules or cells in the immune system to limit attacks on the body’s tissues. Treatment also relies on anti-inflammatory medications to reduce pain and swelling, in addition to physical therapy and rehabilitation to maintain muscle and joint strength, and in some cases changes are made in

The latest treatment for autoimmune diseases

Speaking about the latest treatment for autoimmune diseases, we explain below the most prominent of these latest treatments, which are explained as follows:

CAR-T cell therapy

It is considered one of the latest treatments for autoimmune diseases and the most promising innovation, as it modifies self-or exogenous T cells to target B cells that cause diseases such as lupus erythematosus and systemic sclerosis. Some therapeutic trials have achieved long-term, drug-free relapses, with the possibility of completely resetting the immune system without general suppression.

Reversible vaccines 

It works to re-educate the immune system and ignore harmful endogenous substances, instead of comprehensive immunosuppression as in traditional treatments, and it has achieved successful results in preliminary trials against multiple sclerosis and celiac disease.

Protein immobilization techniques

The L18I compound targets and degrades specific proteins responsible for inflammation, such as BTK, and has proven effective in animal models of lupus and hemorrhagic lung disease.

Advanced biological treatments and new medicines

• Nebilizumab for IgG4 disease has recently received FDA approval.
• Rosnilimab showed effective results in rheumatoid arthritis during a clinical trial.
• Telitacicept is approved in China for the treatment of lupus erythematosus and is being tested for the treatment of multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis.
• Efavaleukin alfa is a molecule that promotes immune homeostasis by expanding regulatory T cells in SLE.
• Izokibep, a treatment that actually targets IL-17A, is stronger and more penetrating than usual antibiotics, and is given subcutaneously to treat psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.

Gene editing using CRISPR

CRISPR-Cas9 is used to manipulate genes that cause exaggerated immune responses, or to modulate regulatory T cells to stop attacking the body itself, and has shown encouraging results in diseases such as lupus, multiple sclerosis and type 1 diabetes.

Learn about: Causes of lupus erythematosus and treatment options

The difference between traditional and modern treatments for autoimmune diseases

Why does a doctor sometimes prescribe traditional treatment and why research is now turning to modern treatments? Below we explain the basic differences between traditional and modern treatments for autoimmune diseases, which are as follows:

How it works

• Conventional treatments (such as corticosteroids and csDMARDs such as methotrexate) work by suppressing or weakening the overall immune response to reduce inflammation. This relieves symptoms but affects the entire immune system.
• Newer therapies (biologics, targeted modulators such as JAK-inhibitors, and cell therapies such as CAR-T) target specific molecules or cells in the disease mechanism, enabling reduced systemic damage with higher efficacy on the central pathological pathway.

Effectiveness and speed of effect

• Traditional medicines may take weeks or months to show their protective effect on the progression of the disease, such as slowing joint damage.
• Newer treatments are often more effective in patients resistant to conventional treatment and improve patient outcomes more quickly in certain cases.

Side effects and risks

• Traditional methods lead to extensive immunosuppression with a higher risk of long-term infection and systemic side effects, such as cortisone, obesity, osteoporosis, and diabetes.
• Newer ones reduce general suppression, but may carry specialized risks, such as exposure to specific infections, injection or infusion reactions, or unexpected immunological effects, and require careful laboratory monitoring.

Cost and availability

• Conventional medicines are generally cheaper and more widely available.
• Newer therapies, especially cellular therapies such as CAR-T or some new biologics, are expensive, require advanced infrastructures and specialized management, and are therefore often limited to reference centers or clinical trials.

Possibility of recovery

• Conventional treatment aims to control and prevent complications, and rarely achieves a permanent cure.
• Some recent therapies, such as CAR-T trials in lupus and similar ones, have shown the possibility of entering patients into a drug-free state for long periods, opening up prospects for deeper immune resetting, but they are still in the early stages and require long-term confirmation.

Medical advice for dealing with the disease during the treatment period

After we learned about the latest treatment for autoimmune diseases, during the treatment period the patient goes through various challenges, including physical and psychological ones, which require patience and commitment to a treatment plan that is determined by the doctor. It is important for the patient and his family to know how to deal with symptoms, maintain general health, and support the body as well as psychological support until the recovery journey is complete. Below is a set of medical advice that will help you cross this stage more safely and comfortably, and they are explained as follows:

• Do not change the doses or timing of your medication without consulting your doctor, even if you feel better.
• Eat balanced meals rich in vegetables, fruits, protein, and whole grains to support immunity and speed up recovery.
• Try to get between 7 and 9 hours of sleep a day, and give your body time to recover.
• Good hydration helps reduce the side effects of some medications and maintains organ health.
• Practice deep breathing exercises or meditation, and maintain a positive mental state as much as possible.
• Record any change in your health condition or the appearance of new symptoms and report them to your doctor immediately.
• Wash your hands regularly, and stay away from people with colds or infectious diseases, especially if your immunity is weak.
• If your doctor allows, do simple physical activity, such as walking, to improve blood circulation and mood.
• Communicate with family and friends, or join support groups. Talking to someone who understands your condition reduces the psychological burden.
• Commit to all medical appointments and examinations necessary to monitor the progress of treatment and adjust the plan if necessary.

Book your consultation now at برنامج الفحص الشامل At Al Mousa Specialist Hospital.

When should you consult a doctor about newer options?

It is important to consult a doctor about the latest treatment for autoimmune diseases in a number of cases, as follows:

• When the condition does not improve or symptoms persist despite adherence to current treatment.
• If bothersome or serious side effects occur from the medications or procedures used.
• When new treatments or modern medical techniques appear that are recommended for your condition by reliable sources or scientific research.
• If the severity or nature of the disease changes, such as worsening of symptoms or the appearance of new symptoms.
• When you want to improve your quality of life or reduce the duration of treatment through more advanced methods.
• If your current treatment reduces your daily activities or requires major lifestyle modifications.

Frequently asked questions 

What does an autoimmune patient eat?

It is preferable to follow a balanced diet rich in fresh vegetables and fruits, whole grains, lean proteins such as fish and chicken, and healthy fats such as olive oil and nuts. It is also recommended to reduce processed foods, excess sugar, and saturated fats to reduce inflammation.

Can immune diseases be cured?

Most autoimmune diseases do not yet have a definitive cure, but symptoms can be controlled and quality of life can be improved with drug treatment, proper nutrition, and lifestyle modification, and some cases may enter a stage of long-term remission.

What are the best vitamins to strengthen the autoimmune system?

The most important vitamins and minerals are: vitamin D, vitamin C, vitamin B12, zinc, and selenium, and they must be obtained from food or supplements under the supervision of a doctor to avoid excessive doses.

Discover the latest treatment for autoimmune diseases at Al Mousa Specialist Hospital, where our team combines medical expertise with the latest global research findings to help you improve your health and control symptoms. Do not postpone taking care of yourself, book your appointment now and begin your journey towards a better life.

المصادر:

Clinical trials to study new use for CAR T-cell therapy: Treating autoimmune diseases – uchicagomedicine

Treating Human Autoimmunity: Current Practice and Future Prospects – nih