On Tuesday, a private healthcare provider revealed the initiation of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy for cancer, utilizing the patient’s immune cells for treatment. Max Healthcare, in a press conference, declared the commencement of this groundbreaking treatment, asserting it to be the first time offered in North India. The therapy involves genetically engineering a patient’s immune cells in a laboratory to enhance their ability to combat cancer.
As part of the treatment, T-cells, a specific type of white blood cells, are modified in the lab to target and eradicate cancer cells. The sourcing of CAR-T-cells is done in collaboration with ImmunoACT, a company incubated at IIT Bombay. ImmunoACT recently obtained marketing authorization approval from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation for its CAR-T cell therapy product targeting relapsed/refractory B-cell lymphomas and leukemia in India.
Dr. Harit K Chaturvedi, Chairman of Max Institute of Cancer Care, highlighted the significance of introducing CAR-T-cell therapy, describing it as a substantial leap in providing advanced care for cancer patients. Referred to as a “living drug,” this therapy offers enduring benefits and is recommended for those ineligible for stem cell transplants or experiencing post-transplant relapse. The hospital emphasized that compared to conventional therapies, CAR-T-cell therapy involves a brief, single-infusion treatment, contributing to an improved quality of life with an average of two weeks of in-patient care for many patients.
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