CAR-T Cell Therapy
The CAR-T Cell Therapy of India has effectively treated its first cancer patient. The therapy has received approval for commercial usage from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation.
India’s CAR-T Cell Therapy Treats First Patient
India is currently facing one of its greatest challenges: finding a practical cure for cancer seems unattainable. However, a novel treatment has given rise to optimism after the first patient treated with India’s CAR-T cell therapy was pronounced “cancer-free”. Using this therapy, the patient’s immune system is genetically reprogrammed to combat cancer cells.
India’s indigenous cancer treatment CAR-T cell therapy has successfully treated its first patient. It is successfully certified for commercial usage by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO).
Many patients now consider the therapy to be a lifesaver. They can receive it for just $50,000, although comparable therapies can cost up to $480,000 elsewhere. This approach uses the patient’s immune system to fight cancer.
Six CAR T-cell treatments have been licenced in the US to treat blood cancers, mainly lymphomas, some types of leukaemia, and, most recently, multiple myeloma. However, all of these approved treatments contain mouse-derived antibody fragments, which might have serious side effects when the patient’s immune system tries to reject the alien material.
What is CAR-T Cell Therapy?
CAR-T Cell Therapy is a form of immunotherapy in which the patient’s T cells, a subset of white blood cells, are genetically altered to combat cancer cells. This treatment involves repurposing the patient’s T cells to help him combat cancer after they have been altered in the lab to express a specific kind of protein called a chimeric antigen receptor.
Here’s How it Generally Works:
- Collection: T cells are extracted from the patient’s blood through a process called leukapheresis.
- Engineering: In the laboratory, these T cells are genetically modified to express chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) on their surface. These CARs are synthetic receptors that are designed to recognize specific proteins, or antigens, that are commonly found on the surface of cancer cells.
- Expansion: The engineered CAR-T cells are then multiplied or expanded in the laboratory to produce in large numbers.
- Infusion: Once a sufficient number of CAR-T cells have been produced, they are infused back into the patient’s bloodstream.
- Targeting: Once in the patient’s body, the CAR-T cells recognize and bind to the cancer cells that express the targeted antigen, leading to their destruction.
It is intended to treat B-cell cancers, including lymphoma and leukaemia.
The “humanised” design of NexCAR19, which is adapted to more closely resemble the human immune system, is what makes it special. This change seeks to reduce the possibility of immune system rejection while increasing the efficacy of the therapy. The treatment is being offered in more than ten Indian cities and over thirty hospitals. Individuals with cancer of the B cell who are older than 15 years old are eligible for treatment.
How Does the CAR-T Therapy Work?
Oncologists have been treating cancer patients with Medicines, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery for decades. However, this exciting new treatment transforms immune cells—more especially, T-cells—into new T-cells, which fight cancer.
The white blood cells known as T-cells are unique because they can eliminate other dangerous cells and support the body’s immune system. The T-cells are individualised for each patient as part of the therapy and are then reintroduced into the body to target cancer cells.
Compared to multiple chemotherapy sessions, the patient finds the treatment significantly less difficult.
As per the laboratory testing and animal experiments, The domestically produced CAR-T cell therapy has far fewer negative effects than those produced in other countries. It also demonstrated the capacity to destroy lymphomas and advanced leukaemias.
How beneficial is CAR-T therapy in comparison to other Therapies?
Chemotherapy, Medication and surgery are the most known therapies for treating Cancer. While cancer patients may live an additional several months or years after receiving existing treatment, medicines such as CAR-T are intended to cure the patient and provide lifelong benefits.
Compared to multiple chemotherapy sessions, a single therapy session simplifies treatment. Additionally, the therapy greatly reduces toxicities connected to drugs.
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