CAR T Cell Therapy: redefining cancer care in India, and the world

CAR T Cell Therapy: redefining cancer care in India, and the world

Cancer has long been a formidable adversary, challenging medical professionals to explore innovative treatments. Among these, Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T cell therapy has emerged as a ground-breaking approach, offering new hope to patients in India and around the world.

CAR T cell therapy is a form of immunotherapy that harnesses the power of a patient's immune system to combat cancer. The treatment involves extracting a patient's T cells, a type of white blood cell, and genetically modifying them to express chimeric antigen receptors. These receptors enable patient’s own T cells to recognize and target specific proteins on cancer cells, enhancing the immune system's ability to locate and destroy malignant cells.


The advent of CAR T cell therapy marks a paradigm shift in cancer treatment. Conventional  treatment options such as chemotherapy and radiation have significant side effects, and there is always a chance of cancer coming back. CAR T cell therapy, however, offers a personalized and targeted solution. Most importantly, once T Cells recognises the cancer cells, they remain in the body even after killing the cancer cells. So, in case the cancer returns, these cells recognises it and eliminate it. That’s the reason these are also called living drugs.

CAR T cell therapy has demonstrated remarkable success in treating certain types of blood cancers, particularly leukemia and lymphoma. Patients who were once considered untreatable or faced limited treatment options have been cured of cancer. The therapy's success is attributed to its ability to precisely target cancer cells while sparing healthy tissues, minimizing collateral damage.

In the United States and Europe, CAR T cell therapy has gained regulatory approval for certain blood cancers, becoming a standard of care in specialized cancer centers. In India, where cancer incidence is on the rise, leading medical institutions are increasingly adopting this cutting-edge technology to provide patients with novel alternatives. The therapy's success in treating blood cancers has ignited optimism for expanding its application to solid tumors in the future.