Treatment of pro-B acute lymphoblastic leukemia and severe plaque psoriasis with anti-CD19 CAR T cells: a case report

We report on a rare case of adult pro-B acute lymphoblastic leukemia (pro-B ALL) accompanied with severe refractory plaque psoriasis treated using autologous anti-CD19 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy. An 18-year-old man with a known history of mild plaque psoriasis for 1 year was diagnosed with pro-B ALL. After induction chemotherapy, his psoriasis began to worsen. Extensive erythema and desquamation developed on the whole body, with severe plaque psoriasis on the knees and elbows, which did not respond to topical therapy. The application of CAR T-cell therapy not only enabled the patient to achieve deep complete remission (CR) but also allowed his skin lesions to completely subside. This successful treatment supports a potential pathogenic link between B cells and psoriasis, which could provide a new option for overcoming refractory psoriasis.