Game-Changer in Blood Cancer Treatment: Affordable CAR T-Cell Therapy Revolutionizes Options for Patients in India

An indigenous gene therapy, CAR T-cell therapy, for blood cancers achieves a 73% response rate among patients in India. This cost-effective treatment is a breakthrough for low-income nations like India, addressing needs in relapsed or refractory B-cell malignancies, according to clinical trials published in The Lancet Haematology.

An indigenously developed gene therapy for blood cancers is making waves in India's medical community, boasting an impressive 73% response rate among patients. As per clinical trials published in The Lancet Haematology, this CAR T-cell therapy is offering a cost-effective alternative to existing treatments in developed countries.

The therapy modifies genes in T-cells to combat cancer, showing promise especially among patients with leukaemia and lymphoma. In countries with limited resources, the treatment offers a lifeline to those with relapsed or refractory B-cell tumours, which often result in poor outcomes due to lack of effective therapies.

Developed over 11 years by IIT-Bombay and Tata Memorial Hospital, the therapy is now available in India at a fraction of the cost of similar treatments abroad. With trials underway at Tata Memorial Centre, researchers are eager to explore its potential in tandem with other immunotherapies.

(With inputs from agencies.)