CAR T-cell therapy is emerging as a game-changing solution for aggressive liquid tumour cancers, say doctors at Apollo Hospitals Navi Mumbai (AHNM), following a series of successful treatments on patients with refractory blood cancers. The hospital recently performed CAR T-cell therapy using made-in-India technology, offering new hope to those who had relapsed after conventional treatments.
Led by Dr. Punit Jain, Consultant Hematology, Hemato-Oncology & Program Co-ordinator for BMT and CAR T-cell Therapy, the procedures involved extracting a patient’s own T-cells, genetically modifying them to target cancer cells, and reintroducing them after a preparatory chemotherapy cycle. The modified cells, known as Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-cells, act as a “living drug” that seeks out and destroys cancer.
Among the patients treated was 49-year-old lady from Odisha, diagnosed with acute B-cell lymphoblastic leukemia. After receiving the customized therapy, she showed significant recovery and was discharged within a few weeks. “The therapy was intense, but now I feel hopeful again,” she said.
Another patient, 57-year-old lady from Mumbai, had been battling relapsed follicular lymphoma after multiple failed therapies. He too responded well to CAR T-cell treatment. “After so many setbacks, this therapy has given me hope. I’m motivated to recover fully,” he shared.
“CAR T-cell therapy is rewriting cancer treatment possibilities, especially for patients whose cancers return despite standard therapies,” said Dr. Jain. “We’ve successfully treated several high-risk cases and are committed to making these advanced treatments accessible.”
"This is an approved treatment in India for the liquid tumour treatment," Dr Jain said adding, "Those who undewent the treatment are doing well."
