CAR-T therapy to transform cancer treatment in India

As society grows in knowledge and confidence regarding an available policy, training, and infrastructure, CAR-T cell therapy will shake up cancer therapy in India. This new type of immunotherapy is making great strides, and the ongoing partnerships between some of the best oncologists in the country and academic research institutes will continue to increase the ask and availability of CAR-T cell therapies, as well as slowly improve patient outcomes.

In June of this year, the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) licensed CAR-T cell therapy for use in commerce and the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) has begun to provide grants for active research. Presently, therapeutic indications include B-cell acute lymphocytic leukaemia, multiple myeloma, glioblastoma, and hepatocellular carcinoma, all of which provide substantial hope for patients across the country.

"CAR-T therapy has given new hope. I think it will take a long time for all cancers to be cured. But there are certain types of cancer which have become curable. I look at acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and lymphoma. They were incurable only 30 to 40 years ago. But today, they are curable. Not only in the first phase but also recurrent cases also with this CAR -T cell therapy, they can be cured," said Dr. Advani, Chairman of Smita Memorial Hospital & Research Centre."At Smita Memorial, we have primarily focused on basic oncology treatments. With this collaboration, we will now be able to integrate high-end technology and training, making these treatments available not just to local patients but also to those traveling from across India and abroad, the patients who had little hope of controlling their cancer have responded well. Our median follow-up period is around 6 to 8 months, and while we are yet to establish long-term control, short-term outcomes have been very promising", he added."CAR-T cell therapy is showing significant promise in India, particularly in achieving short-term control over tumours", according to Dr. Vijay Patil, founder & head of SunAct Cancer Institute. He notes that preliminary results from their CAR-T cell therapy program are encouraging, with almost two-thirds of patients experiencing a positive response. Although long-term data is still being collected, short-term results have shown a symbiotic reduction in tumor size and manageable side effects.