CAR T-Cell Therapy for Autoimmune Disease Explained | Dr. Vaneet Sandhu

What if treating your autoimmune disease didn't mean a lifetime of infusions, but one? In this episode of Autoimmune Alchemy, I talk with Dr. Vaneet Sandhu, VP of Clinical Development at Fate Therapeutics, about CAR T-cell therapy: how it reprograms immune cells to eliminate the "bad actor" B-cells driving disease, why it started in oncology and is now being tested in lupus, scleroderma, vasculitis and more, and what the recent safety headlines actually mean for patients considering a trial.

Chapter and Time Stamps:

00:00 CAR T Cells Explained

01:04 Meet The Guest

02:19 What Is CAR T Therapy

03:28 Off The Shelf Manufacturing

05:39 Dosing And Infusion Basics

06:57 How CAR T Targets B Cells

08:37 B Cell Return And Reset

09:56 Diseases And Trial Phases

11:05 Timeline And Eligibility

13:37 From Cancer To Autoimmune

15:18 Early Results And Safety

20:18 Trial Pauses And Deaths

23:35 Comparing Companies

27:01 Hard To Treat Diseases

28:26 How To Join Trials

29:41 Final Thoughts And Resources

Key Takeaways

🧬 A CAR T-Cell Is Just a Soldier With New Orders

🏭 Off-the-Shelf Beats Custom-Made — Here's Why

💉 One Infusion, Not a Lifetime of Them

🎯 It's Not Killing Immunity — It's Retraining It

🔄 The B-Cells That Come Back Aren't the Bad Ones

🦠 Started in Cancer, Now Rewriting Autoimmune Treatment

⚠️ Safety Headlines Aren't the Whole Story — Context Matters

🔍 Not a Cure Yet — But a Real Shot at Remission

Guest Details & Links

Dr. Vaneet Sandhu — Vice President of Clinical Development at Fate Therapeutics, where she leads clinical programs in autoimmunity. Previously a practicing rheumatologist at Loma Linda University and rheumatology fellowship program director. Medical degree from a medical college in India; master's in academic medicine from the University of Missouri; internal medicine residency at Loma Linda University; rheumatology fellowship at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

• Website: fatetherapeutics.com
• Clinical trial search: clinicaltrials.gov

About Your Hosts

Micah Yu, MD, MHA, MS, ABOIM, DipABLM, IFMCP

Dr. Micah Yu is a triple board-certified integrative rheumatologist who blends conventional medicine with holistic, nutrition-based healing to treat autoimmune and chronic inflammatory conditions. A patient himself, Dr. Yu brings a deeply personal perspective to his work, having reversed his own autoimmune arthritis through lifestyle and integrative medicine. He is certified in internal medicine, rheumatology, integrative medicine, lifestyle medicine, and functional medicine. As the founder of MyAutoimmuneMD and co-founder of Dr. Lifestyle Clinic, Dr. Yu empowers patients to address the root causes of illness and reclaim their health from the inside out.

Melissa Mondala, MD, MHA, MS, DipABLM

Dr. Melissa Mondala is a dual board-certified physician in Family and Lifestyle Medicine, with advanced training in Integrative Psychiatry and Integrative Medicine. As President of Dr. Lifestyle Clinic in Newport Beach—recognized by UC Irvine as a Public Health Site of Excellence—she pioneers a holistic, patient-centered approach to chronic disease. Dr. Mondala is a nationally recognized Lifestyle Medicine Intensivist, core faculty at Loma Linda University's Preventive Medicine Department, and a passionate advocate for plant-based nutrition, mental health, and women's wellness. A sought-after speaker and educator, she combines cutting-edge science with deep compassion to empower lasting healing, especially for those silently suffering from autoimmune, mental health, and long COVID conditions. She shares practical inspiration for healthy living and cooking at @drmelissaskitchen.

About AutoImmune Alchemy Podcast

Mission: Blending science with soul to transform autoimmune struggles into healing alchemy

AutoImmune Alchemy is a podcast dedicated to the autoimmune community, offering hope, validation, and evidence-based solutions for those struggling with complex autoimmune conditions. Hosted by the dynamic duo Dr. Melissa Mondala and Dr. Micah Yu, the show features expert interviews exploring root causes like hormonal imbalances, leaky gut, and inflammation that traditional medicine often overlooks. Each episode empowers listeners to take proactive control of their health through lifestyle medicine, nutrition, and integrative approaches.

Connect with AutoImmune Alchemy

• Website:MyAutoimmuneMD.com
• Dr. Lifestyle Clinic:www.drlifestyle.org
• Instagram: @myautoimmunemd
• Facebook: @MYAutoimmuneMD
• YouTube: @myautoimmunemd
• Email: contact@myautoimmunemd.com

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