CAR T-cell Therapy Cost In India

Dr (Col) VK Gupta, a 64-year old Delhi-based gastroenterologist, became the first cancer patient in India to be free of cancer by undergoing India’s CAR T-cell therapy, an indigenous cancer treatment, recently approved by India’s drug regulator. He took this therapy by paying just Rs 42 lakh which would’ve otherwise cost him Rs 4 crore abroad. India’s CAR T-cell therapy, NexCAR19, was developed in India by ImmunoAct (by IIT-Bombay) in collaboration with TATA Memorial Hospital, Mumbai.

What Is CAR T-cell Therapy?

CAR T-cell therapy in India, also called Chimeric Antigen T-cell therapy, is a type of immunotherapy where your T-cells are genetically modified in a lab to fight cancer. It is one of the precision therapies as it only targets the cancer cells, leaving the healthy cells intact.

Our blood comprises three major cell groups: Red, white, and platelets. T-cells or lymphocytes are one of the white blood cells that make up your immune system. During CAR T-cell therapy, these T-cells are collected from your blood. They are separated from the plasma and isolated in labs. Then, the DNA of a cancer-recognizing protein is inserted into the T-cells through a vector to produce chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) on the surface of the cells. It is then reinfused in the patient. These CAR T-cells can detect the cancer cells using the proteins released the on cells and bind with them to kill the cells off.

How Does CAR T-cell Therapy work?

We will have to delve a bit deep into our immune system’s functioning to understand how CAR T-cell therapy works. Our immune system consists of different types of white blood cells or lymphocytes, one of them being T-lymphocytes or T-cells. Your T-cells look for bacteria, fungus or viruses that may linger in your body, and kill them off.

Foreign cells like bacteria, fungus, virus or parasites have their own surface proteins called antigens. But our own T-cells also have certain surface proteins called receptors. These receptors recognise the abnormal antigens, get activated, bind with them, and kill them off. They also activate other parts of the immune system to tackle with the budding disease.

But there are times when T-cells are not able to detect the antigens. It can be due to exhaustion or the inability of the receptors to recognise the antigens. To tackle this problem, scientists change your T-cells by adding a lab-made gene for a chimeric antigen receptor. Next, they make the new CAR T-cells grow and multiply until there are enough cells to target cancerous cells effectively.

Once in your bloodstream, CAR T-cell receptors detect and destroy cancerous cells. The cells also keep on multiplying so you have a long-term supply of CAR T-cells targeting your cancer cells. That long-term supply is why researchers and healthcare providers call CAR T-cell therapy a type of “living drug.”

What Diseases Are Treated With CAR T-Cell Therapy?

What Is The CAR T-cell Therapy Cost In India?

The CAR T-cell therapy cost in India ranges between USD 50,000 to USD 60,000, depending on the cancer type and the hospital chosen.

Which Hospitals Offer The CAR T-cell Therapy In India?

At present, there are only a few hospitals that offer CAR T-cell therapy in India. These hospitals are renowned for their patient-centric approach in providing treatments. They are also equipped with latest medical technology, providing the best and most affordable treatment with high success rates.

1. Max Super Specialty Hospital, Saket, Delhi
2. Apollo Specialty Hospital, Chennai
3. Kauvery Hospital, Alwarpert, Chennai
4. Cytecare Cancer Hospital, Bangalore
5. Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram
6. Medanta The Medicity, Gurugram
7. Artemis Hospital, Gurugram
8. Fortis Hospital, Mulund, Mumbai
9. Manipal Hospital, Old Airport Road, Bangalore
10. BLK Super Specialty Hospital, Delhi

Who Is An Ideal Candidate For CAR T-cell Therapy?

In an ideal candidate. we generally look for:

• Previous treatment failures: CAR T-cell therapy is an ideal therapy for those patients who have not responded to traditional treatments like chemotherapy or surgery or have experienced relapse.

• Blood cancer: CAR T-cell therapy in India is used primarily for hemotologic cancers like lymphomas and leukemias.

• Specific antigen expression: The cancer cells should express specific antigens targeted by the chimeric antigen receptor (CAR). This is crucial for the modified T-cells to recognise and attack the cancer cells.

What Are The Benefits Of CAR T-Cell Therapy?

What Tests Are Done Before CAR T-Cell Therapy?

CAR T-Cell Therapy Procedure:

Why You Should Opt For CAR T-Cell Therapy In India?

What Happens If CAR T-cell Therapy Fails?

There are hardly any cases of CAR T-cell therapy failing but as it a relatively new technology, the doctors are yet to establish a proper set of protocols. But, a few back-up plans are made available with the doctor to tackle the body’s reaction if the therapy fails, such as:

• Looking at the patient’s condition, the doctors may go for 2nd infustion of CAR T-cells. There have been a few cases where the second infusion of CAR T-cells led to durable responses.

• Another treatment after the failure of first round of CAR T-cell therapy is the use of biospecific antibodies, a form of immunotherapy. These antibodies have two receptors on them, typically designed for one receptor to attach to a T-cell and the other to a cancer cell. The bispecific antibody acts like a pair of handcuffs, bringing the two cells together and making it easier for T-cells to detect and attack the cancer cells.

Other modalities include:

• Chemotherapy
• Targeted therapy
• Chemoimmunotherapy
• Radiation therapy for localized progression

Choose GoMedii For The Best And Most Affordable CAR T-cell Therapy Cost In India

If you want the best and most affordable CAR T-cell therapy cost in India, you are at the right place and time! Trust GoMedii, the best medical tourism company in India, with your treatment; we assure you of a top-notch, hassle-free process.

We have tie-ups with one of the most reputed hospitals to get you the best medical treatment in India at an affordable cost. Furthermore, to avail yourself of our packages, you can contact us on our website or call us at +91-9599004311. Additionally, you can also email us at connect@gomedii.com. Our team will respond to you on a priority basis.

Contact GoMedii to get your queries resolved by our team of medical experts. You can also reach out to us to apply for a medical visa.

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