INNOVATIVE THERAPIES IN THE MANAGEMENT OF AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES: EVIDENCE FROM RECENT STUDIES

Abstract

Autoimmune diseases represent a growing challenge for clinical practice, given their pathophysiological complexity and the limitations of conventional immunosuppressive therapies, which often present partial efficacy and significant adverse effects. In recent years, significant advances in biotechnology, immunology, and precision medicine have enabled the development of innovative therapeutic approaches capable of selectively modulating the immune response and restoring immunological tolerance. This narrative review aims to analyze recent evidence on the main emerging strategies for managing autoimmune diseases, including cell therapies, tolerogenic vaccines, microbiome interventions, and new pharmacological agents. International scientific databases were consulted, prioritizing publications published between 2019 and 2025. The results indicate that cell therapies, especially those based on CAR-T and regulatory T cells, have been shown to induce remission in refractory cases, although they still present significant risks and high costs. Tolerogenic vaccines and microbiome modulators are emerging as promising alternatives, but they lack methodological standardization and large-scale clinical trials. New pharmacological agents, such as JAK inhibitors and next-generation monoclonal antibodies, expand the therapeutic arsenal, offering greater selectivity and potential safety. It is concluded that innovative therapies represent a paradigm shift in the treatment of autoimmune diseases, shifting the focus from nonspecific immunosuppression to targeted immunomodulation. Despite their transformative potential, their clinical consolidation will depend on overcoming challenges related to safety, cost-effectiveness, and accessibility.