CAR T-Cell Therapy

April 19, 2024, admin

What is CAR T-cell Therapy?

Picture training your body’s immune system to specifically target cancer cells. That’s the essence of CAR T-cell therapy. Here’s a breakdown of the process: T-cell extraction: Doctors extract T-cells, a type of white blood cell essential for fighting infections, from the patient’s blood. Genetic modification: In a laboratory setting, scientists modify the T-cells with a specialized receptor known as Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR). This CAR helps the T-cells recognize specific proteins on the surface of cancer cells. Reinfusion: The engineered T-cells are then replicated in significant numbers and reintroduced into the patient’s bloodstream. These modified T-cells, now programmed to identify and attack cancer cells, become potent living drugs.  

Benefits and Availability

  CAR T-cell therapy has demonstrated remarkable efficacy in treating certain blood cancers, particularly B-cell malignancies like Leukaemia and Lymphoma. This therapy provides hope for patients who have not responded well to conventional treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation. A “Made in India” CAR-T program, NexCAR19™, is presently accessible at Apollo Cancer Centres in Navi Mumbai, catering to adults and adolescents above 15 years old.  

Hope for the Future

  The introduction of CAR T-cell therapy in India is a significant milestone. While currently targeted at specific cancers, ongoing research aims to broaden its application to other cancer types. This innovative treatment holds immense promise for enhancing patient outcomes and heralding a brighter future for cancer care in India.