Researchers have used a single injection to genetically reprogram immune cells inside the body, triggering a broad immune reset in patients with multiple sclerosis and related neurological autoimmune disorders. In a first-of-its-kind clinical trial, this in vivo CAR T-cell therapy led to a sharp drop in disease-causing B cells and improved symptoms, according to results published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Traditional CAR T therapy involves weeks of cell collection, lab modification, and reinfusion, which is costly and carries infection risks. The new approach skips these steps. The experimental therapy, called JY231, uses a lentiviral vector delivered as a single intravenous infusion. This allows the patient’s own T cells to become CAR-T cells directly in the body, without ex vivo manufacturing or chemotherapy. Led by Yu-Hang Cheng, the research team delivered genetic instructions via the vector, reprogramming T cells to target B cells that produce harmful autoantibodies, as described in a peer-reviewed NEJM report.
"The study, published on September 3, 2026, in NEJM, is the first to demonstrate in vivo CAR-T generation using a lentiviral vector for refractory neurological autoimmune diseases."
— Medscape
Sixteen patients with neurological autoimmune diseases received the treatment and were monitored for six months. Independent reports confirm that all 16 developed in vivo CAR-T cells. Among those with progressive multiple sclerosis, EDSS scores dropped and motor and cognitive function improved. None developed severe nerve inflammation. Eleven patients had temporary spikes in inflammatory molecules, which resolved within two weeks. The engineered CAR T cells lasted for months, and B cell counts fell sharply. New B cells that appeared no longer produced the damaging autoantibodies, suggesting a reset of the immune system. Patients with multiple sclerosis reported less fatigue, better movement, and improved cognitive function, while markers of nerve injury declined. Other participants saw gains in muscle strength, reduced inflammation, and better quality of life.
The evidence is still early. The trial included only 16 patients and had no control group, as noted in a German summary of the NEJM article. Because the therapy uses a virus to insert genetic material, long-term risks like cancer and infection are unknown. Larger, controlled studies are needed to see if this streamlined CAR-T approach is both safe and effective for people with chronic autoimmune disease.
Lead investigator Yu-Hang Cheng described the results as proof-of-concept, stating that in vivo CAR-T generation with a lentiviral vector demonstrated manageable safety and potential efficacy in refractory neurological autoimmune diseases.
— Medscape (source)
While the CAR-T trial drew attention, other recent studies looked at how daily habits affect health. A review in the European Heart Journal analyzed 87 randomized controlled trials with over 6,500 participants and found that eating four to six servings of whole grains a day was linked to lower body weight, waist size, blood pressure, cholesterol, triglycerides, blood glucose, and inflammation markers. The biggest improvements were seen at 60 to 100 grams of whole grains per day—about four to six servings. The review did not measure heart attacks or strokes directly, and most trials were short, so it’s unclear how long these benefits last. Still, the findings support swapping refined grains for whole grains to improve cardiovascular risk factors.
Another systematic review, covering nearly two million people, found that those with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are almost 50% more likely to have gastrointestinal symptoms than those without ADHD. The strongest links were for constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, and encopresis. Possible reasons include impulsive eating, medication side effects, and differences in the gut microbiome, but the exact causes are still being studied. The findings do not prove that ADHD causes digestive problems, but they suggest that clinicians should ask about digestive symptoms in ADHD patients and consider dietary support.
Other research explored how sleep and diet affect each other within households. A Canadian study of 204 couples found that when one partner slept poorly, both reported less effort and confidence in maintaining healthy eating habits. This effect was seen in both men and women and may reflect shared food environments and meal choices. The study relied on self-reported data and cannot prove cause and effect, but it suggests that sleep quality is a shared issue with real impact on diet.
Finally, a review of lab, animal, and human studies on Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus) looked at how its bioactive compounds might affect the gut–brain axis. Preclinical evidence links Shatavari to changes in gut bacteria, inflammation, and brain signaling, but clinical evidence is limited. An eight-week trial in perimenopausal women found some improvement in menopause symptoms and stress, but larger, longer studies are needed to confirm safety, dosing, and real cognitive or neurological benefits.
These studies show that medical research is moving toward more targeted and holistic interventions. The in vivo CAR-T trial points to a possible advance in autoimmune therapy, but more evidence is needed. Links between diet, sleep, gut health, and neurological conditions are gaining attention, though most findings are still associative. For now, the evidence supports cautious optimism, especially for patients with few options. The next step will be to test these early results in larger, controlled trials and real-world settings.
