Jan Janisch-Hanzlik had been having strange symptoms for several years. But it was a sensation that started in her toes and crept up her right side that really concerned her. “By the end of the week, I had a spinal tap, an MRI of the brain and spine and was diagnosed with MS,” she said. “I thought I would get on meds, and within a month or two, I’d be back to my normal self.”
But just three months later, the 49-year old’s condition had advanced to the point where she could no longer drive and had to move into a new home after falling multiple times.
She was referred to Rana Zabad, MD, a neurologist and MS specialist at Nebraska Medicine, who presented her with a new option: enrollment in a first-of-its-kind clinical trial using allogeneic CAR T-cell therapy. This therapy uses T-cells from a healthy donor that are genetically modified to target and destroy specific immune cells that contribute to the autoimmune attack in MS. It’s an approach previously used by Nebraska Medicine hematologists to treat blood cancers.
“This is a completely novel concept in MS therapy,” said Dr. Zabad, who also is a professor and director of the Multiple Sclerosis Program at UNMC. “We’ve never used allogeneic CAR T-cell therapy to target the immune cells responsible for driving inflammation and damage in the central nervous system. This trial is about pushing boundaries carefully and thoughtfully to explore what could be possible.”
Click Play below to watch this video on Jan Janisch-Hanzlik’s story.
Jan received the therapy on June 9 at Nebraska Medicine’s Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center under the care of Matt Lunning, DO, a hematologist/oncologist specializing in CAR T-cell therapy. She was discharged on June 16 and has since returned for follow-up care.
“There is growing hope that this therapy can do more than treat patients with blood cancers like leukemia and lymphoma,” said Dr. Lunning, also a professor in the UNMC Division of Oncology and Hematology. “A year ago, we provided the first allogeneic CAR T-cell therapy to a patient with lupus, and she has seen excellent results. We’re hopeful Jan will have a similar experience.”
Jan says she’s honored to be part of something potentially transformative. “I feel blessed that Dr. Zabad chose me for this treatment,” she said. “I’m not just excited for me I’m excited for the whole MS community including the physicians and the patients because it’s really going to help all of us in the long run.”
The CAR T-cell therapy process required a short course of chemotherapy to prepare Jan’s immune system, followed by the infusion of genetically engineered donor T-cells. These modified cells are designed to seek out and destroy the specific immune cells believed to contribute to MS. Allogeneic therapy offers a readily available, “off-the-shelf” product, since the cells don’t need to be custom-made for each patient as they do with autologous CAR T-cell therapy, which uses the patient’s own cells.
“Jan’s courage and optimism have been incredible,” said Dr. Zabad. “She understands this trial is not just about today’s treatment, it’s about what this could mean for thousands of others living with MS.”
In addition to the groundbreaking clinical care, Jan says the personal care she received at Nebraska Medicine has made a lasting impact. “I cannot even explain the care I’ve been given here. It has been absolutely amazing,” she said. “The nurses are so responsive. I love that they have a mobility assistant to walk with you in the halls. And I really have a lot of faith and trust in Dr. Zabad.”
Wow. How does one get an opportunity to be part of this trial. I’ve suffered from relapsing remitting MS for over 38 years. I have been told to “wait and see,” to Copaxone, to Beta Seron (?), to another drug they rather quickly took off the market, to Gilenya, and now I’m back in “wait and see.” I suffer from bowel and bladder incontinence, and lack of balance now. I walk with a cane. I am willing to try anything if it can help push different therapies for MS.
This is encouraging to read! I was diagnosed with MS 29 years ago!!!
I too am very interested in this treatment. I have had Ms since 1994, and my rrms converted to spms five years ago. How do I get involved?
Sign me up!!
How do you get signed up for the trial? I have secondary ms. Im 45 years old. I’ve done a bunch of the meds but nothing has worked. My walking is my biggest problem. I use a walker. I would love to try this.
Health care providers and patients can search the UNMC Clinical Trials Databases to find a study specific to a particular condition or disease.
The link is: https://net.unmc.edu/ctsearch/index_unmc.php
Also I’ve had ms for20 years.
Very interesting I had a short 3 months of a chemo for so etching else and the 6 -12 months after that I felt the best I had since 2006.
I would be very interested in this and I’m in Iowa so it’s only a couple hour drive for me. I do that to see my neurologist so I would be willing to do that. Plus I’ve been a patient in me for gi issues so I’ve been there.
Amazing to hear a breakthrough. How long before approved? I would love to walk without a cane, as I have had deteriorating health for 25 years. Dr’s. say that I have not had any attacks since the original one. So many of us waiting to hear progress in the MS world. Would love to join trial, anything to help please.
I was diagnosed with MS by Georgetown Hospital in DC about 30yrs ago. It has been horrible but I am still fighting. Two yrs ago I was diagnosed with PPMS by John Hopkins. Hopkins last month said I have nothing left to use for my fight. Because I am over sixty there are no more DMT’s for me. I am left on my own because of age and no meds for me. I would be THRILLED to have this when available
I was diagnosed with ppms 7 years ago. Medication seems to have stopped my lesion progression but mobility is deteriorating. It’s wonderful to see the doctors and patients progressing solutions that did not exist a short time ago. Like all others here “pick me”. I’ll do whatever I can to find solutions.
I was diagnosed at 28, with PPMS. I am 63 now and have a myriad of issues. I live in north Central Kansas and would love to be a part of a study. Not only to lessen some of my symptoms, but to help other people as well. Please send me information on how to get involved.
My husband is a patient for MS and it is sad his own neuroligist didnt even bring this up. We are trying so hard to keep him in his career amd she knows this and have him convinced disability is the only way to go even though he isnt disabled. We asked about Stem Cell Therapy studies and wad essentially told it isnt FDA aooroved so we are not discussing them. This would have been nice to know about and I would still love information on it to see if he would even qualify.