ClinicalApril 2026
CAR-T for Progressive MS: Reaching the Brain B Cells That Anti-CD20 Cannot
A Phase 1 trial of anti-BCMA CAR-T (azer-cel, TG Therapeutics) is recruiting in the US for progressive MS. Data published in Cell show that CAR-T cells can deplete plasmablasts in the CNS — the same cells that anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies cannot reach across the BBB.
JFInnova Perspective
CAR-T confirms that brain-resident ASCs are the problem in progressive MS and that anti-CD20 is insufficient. JFIN-0001 addresses the same niche with a practical advantage: a 12.6 kDa VHH nanobody that crosses the BBB natively, without need for cell engineering, apheresis, or hospitalization. An off-the-shelf biologic vs a personalized cell therapy.
References
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CAR-T cell therapy trial for progressive MS now recruiting in US
Multiple Sclerosis News Today · 2026
CAR-T MS brain B cells ASC