Cancer poses a significant challenge for India, with effective treatment still a distant goal. There is renewed optimism with the successful treatment of the first patient declared “cancer-free” through India’s CAR-T cell therapy.
This indigenous cancer treatment has recently been sanctioned for commercial use by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), and it marks a significant advancement in the field of cancer treatment.
Known for genetically reprogramming the immune system to combat cancer, India’s CAR-T cell therapy has demonstrated its efficacy with the remarkable recovery of Dr (Col) VK Gupta, a gastroenterologist based in Delhi. Dr. Gupta could access this therapy at a fraction of the cost compared to international alternatives which highlights its accessibility and potential impact on patients’ lives.
Dr Rahul Bhargava, Principal Director and Chief of BMT at Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram, told Financial Express, “The cost of the car T cell in India has come down remarkably to 40 to 50 lakhs which is like one-third of the cost from the American counterparts.”
What is CAR-T cell therapy?
CAR-T cell therapy is a form of immunotherapy that entails the genetic modification of a patient’s T cells to target cancer cells. T cells are integral components of the body’s immune system and play a vital role in defending against infections.
Dr Rahul Bhargava explained the workings of CAR T cell therapy. He elaborated, “CAR T cell therapy is highly precise in targeting cancer cells. It involves modifying a patient’s T cells to express chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) that specifically recognize antigens present on cancer cells. This targeted approach minimizes damage to healthy cells, reducing side effects compared to traditional chemotherapy or radiation therapy, which can harm healthy tissues.”
India’s indigenous CAR-T cell therapy
The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), India’s regulatory body for drugs, approved the commercial utilization of NexCAR19 in October 2023. This CAR-T cell therapy is the first of its kind to be domestically developed.
NexCAR19 is developed by ImmunoACT, a company nurtured at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IITB) in collaboration with Tata Memorial Hospital. It is developed to address B-cell cancers, such as leukemia and lymphoma, NexCAR19 offers a promising avenue for treatment.
This therapy is presently accessible in over 30 hospitals across more than 10 cities throughout India. Eligible candidates for treatment include individuals above the age of 15 who are afflicted with B-cell cancers.
History OF NexCAR19
Cancer poses a significant public health challenge in India, with new diagnoses reaching nearly 1.6 million in 2023, highlighting its growing burden on the population.
Despite the emergence of new cancer treatments, accessibility remains a critical issue, especially with therapies like CAR-T cell therapy, known for their severe side effects and high costs, remaining largely out of reach for many patients.
In 2015, Dr. Alka Dwivedi and her team made an effort to enhance CAR-T cell therapy by modifying the cells to carry a more human-like antibody. This endeavor led to the development of NexCAR19, India’s indigenous CAR-T cell therapy. Demonstrating promising outcomes, particularly in blood cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma, NexCAR19 not only offers effectiveness but also addresses affordability concerns, aligning with the needs of patients within India’s healthcare system.
Dr. Bhargava emphasizes the revolutionary nature of CAR T cell therapy, stating, “CAR T cell therapy holds promise as a revolutionary cancer treatment, offering several advantages over traditional methods like chemotherapy and radiation. It is one more advanced medical treatment that has been unleashed against blood cancer which will eventually have the potential to replace the current treatment.”