Context: 

• Recently, ImmunoACT received market authorization for their chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy called NexCAR19  from the Drugs Controller General of India.

What Is CAR T Cell Therapy?

• CAR T Cell therapy is a novel and highly complex immune therapy that redirects the body’s own immune system to fight cancer. 
  • CAR-T cells are often described as ‘the living drug’ because they actively search and target malignant cells.
  • It uses a type of immune cell called a T-cell, which is extracted from patients’ blood before being genetically altered to allow it to target surface proteins found on cancer cells.

• NexCAR19 is India’s first indigenously developed CAR T-cell therapy.
• It targets relapsed-refractory B-cell lymphoma and leukemia, marking a significant advancement in cancer treatment.
• Success Rate: In studies, 9 out of 10 people with acute lymphoblastic leukemia whose cancer didn’t respond to other treatments or whose cancer came back had full remission with CAR T cell therapy.
  • Remission means the cancer can’t be detected in tests.

Why is CAR T Cell therapy effective?

• Improves immunogenic memory, which provides continuous surveillance to treat local and distant metastatic lesions.
• Recognizes and eliminates damaged cells and cells infected with harmful pathogens, such as viruses and cancerous cells
• Reduces the need for aggressive chemotherapy
• This therapy is intended for the treatment of relapsed-refractory B-cell lymphoma and leukemia.
• Affordability: Previously, CAR T cell therapy cost around $400,000 (approximately Rs 3.3 crore) in the United States. 
  • With this development, the therapy is expected to be accessible at approximately Rs 30-35 lakh per patient in 20 Indian government and private hospitals across major cities in India.

News Source: DTE