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CAR T-cell therapy is an advanced cancer treatment

By Dr. Sajjan Rajpurohit in Cancer Care / Oncology

Jan 07 , 2019 | 1 min read

Max Super Speciality Hospital, Shalimar Bagh, introduces CAR T-cell therapy, unlocking a revolutionary treatment approach for blood cancer patients that enhances the patient's immune cells to identify and combat cancer cells, particularly in cases where conventional therapies have yielded limited effectiveness.

What is CAR T-cell therapy?

CAR T-cell therapy is a groundbreaking form of immunotherapy that involves modifying a patient's own T-cells (a type of white blood cell) to target cancer cells specifically. In CAR T-cell therapy, the patient's own immune cells are genetically engineered in the laboratory to make them capable of fighting cancer.

How does CAR T-cell therapy work?

Scientists engineer T-cells to express a Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) that recognises cancer-specific proteins. These modified T-cells are then infused back into the patient, where they seek out and destroy cancer cells.

Which cancers can be treated with CAR T-cell therapy?

CAR T-cell therapy has shown remarkable success in treating relapsed or refractory B-cell malignancies, including lymphoma, leukaemias, and myeloma.

What makes CAR T-cell therapy unique?

Unlike traditional chemotherapy, CAR T-cell therapy is personalised. Each patient's T-cells are customised to target their specific cancer cells.

Is CAR T-cell therapy available in India?

Yes, Max Hospital, Shalimar Bagh, will begin its CAR T-cell therapy program through a collaboration with ImmunoACT to administer NexCAR19 (Talicabtagene autoleucel) to patients who have failed one or more lines of treatment in certain types of lymphoma and leukaemia. ImmunoACT recently received Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation's (CDSO) marketing authorisation approval for its CAR T-cell therapy product for relapsed/refractory B-cell lymphomas and leukaemia in India.

How would the Indian healthcare system cope with the demand for CAR T-cell therapy?

The demand for CAR T-cell therapy is expected to increase as patients become aware of the treatment's success. To cope with this demand, the Indian healthcare system must focus on fostering partnerships between the public and private sectors, strengthening infrastructure, and creating a robust regulatory framework to ensure patient safety.

CAR T-cell therapy represents a landmark advancement in cancer treatment. Its success stories continue to inspire hope for patients worldwide. Remember, personalised medicine is the future, and CAR T-cell therapy is at its forefront.