Mumbai, January 17, 2024 (GNI): CAR T-cell -chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy is a promising new form of immunotherapy that has been shown to work in certain advanced blood cancers where other available treatments like chemotherapy have failed. This therapy is now available at Kokilaben Hospital and is specifically developed for each individual patient and works by reprogramming the patient’s own immune system cells to target the cancer. These immune cells are called T cells or T lymphocytes, which usually protect us from infection and play a role in eradicating cancerous cells.
Until recently, this therapy was available only in the United States, a few European countries, Israel and China. However, more recently, the Central Drugs Control Standard Organisation (CDSCO) has given market authorisation to India’s first indigenously developed CAR-T cell product. The indigenously developed Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy, offers new hope to patients in India with relapsed B-cell lymphomas or leukaemias, especially those who have exhausted conventional therapies.
Dr. Sameer A. Tulpule, Senior Consultant- Haemato-oncology and Bone Marrow Transplantation,
Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Mumbai highlights that “CAR T-cell therapy is form of personalized cancer treatment. Many patients in India will benefit from this cutting-edge treatment for blood cancer with almost one-tenth of the cost abroad. It is a cutting edge treatment which marks a significant stride in tailored cancer care for individuals with these blood cancers.”
He adds, “There are various steps involved and this is done by a process called apheresis wherein the patient’s blood flows through a machine which separates out the T cells. These T cells then undergo genetic modification in a lab by adding a CAR to make them supercharged cancer killing cells. These are then allowed to multiply and grow. Once there are enough cells the patient receives some preparative treatment for a few days after which the cells are infused back into the patient. After receiving this treatment, patients are monitored for about 10-12 days for any adverse effects. Once discharged, patients are followed up closely and need to take standard precautions as they did when receiving chemotherapy.”ends GNI
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