Patients are taking part in a trial that scientists hope could ultimately lead to a cure for rheumatoid arthritis.
It could be possible to “switch off” deliberating pain caused by arthritis following a groundbreaking new study, which could help patients who struggle across the world.
It comes as scientists launched the UK trial of a treatment which could lead to a cure for rheumatoid arthritis. Professor John Isaacs, who is leading the research, labelled the study as “pioneering” and shared the numerous benefits for patients of different age groups. The AuToDeCRA-2 study seeks to prove it is possible to train white blood cell “generals” of the immune system to stop other cells from attacking healthy tissue.
The Prof, who has worked on the condition for 35 years, believes this could make it possible to “switch off” rheumatoid arthritis.
He said there are different types of cells that come together, like an army of soldiers, to attack disease.
These take instructions from the white blood cells known as dendritic cells, or the “generals” of the immune system. When they sense danger they send out the attack signal. However, if there is no danger, they instruct the army to ignore healthy tissues.
The expert added: “There are only one or two other groups around the world doing similar work. This treatment could provide significant benefits to people living with rheumatoid arthritis by ‘switching off’ the disease.”
For the research, the patient’s white blood cells are grown in the lab and trained to resemble the “calm” generals and command “soldier” cells to stop attacking the joints.
The outcome of the trial could have huge benefits for the a huge rheumatoid arthritis patients in the world. It could also have implications for other autoimmune diseases such as diabetes or multiple sclerosis.
The first two trials involve 32 patients so more research is needed, but a larger trial may follow, with treatment to follow in 5 to 10 years if the scientists can find a winning formula.
Currently, there are over 210 million patients struggling with the disease in India.
Carol Robson, 70, a retired nurse from Jarrow in South Tyneside, England, who is taking part in the research. Before she was diagnosed, she had to shove her hands in packets of frozen peas in a bid to soothe the agonising feeling. She remains hopeful about the research and says it has been a “wonderful” experience to take part in.
Carol takes immunosuppressants, but injected white blood cells leave her in less pain. “I do think it is better,” she told the BBC. “If this trial works to switch off rheumatoid arthritis that would be wonderful. It is a privilege to be part of it.”
Courtsey- Monica Charsley and Jeremy Armstrong, The Mirror
