India has made significant strides in CAR-T cell therapy with the development and approval of NexCAR19, the country's first indigenous CAR-T cell therapy.
In 2023, NexCAR19 became the first CAR T-cell therapy designed and approved in India, offering a significant advancement in cancer treatment. This therapy, developed by ImmunoACT, is a form of immunotherapy that genetically engineers a patient's T cells to target and destroy cancer cells. The therapy has shown promising results for B-cell cancers like leukemia and lymphoma and is now available in over 30 hospitals across more than 10 cities in India.
Key Points:
- Development: NexCAR19 was developed by Dr. Alka Dwivedi and her colleagues at IIT Bombay, aiming to create an indigenous CAR T-cell therapy tailored to meet the needs of cancer patients in India.
- Approval: The Central Drugs Standard Control Organization approved NexCAR19 in October 2023, making it India's first approved CAR-T cell therapy. Patient Success: Patients like Dr. VK Gupta have benefited from this therapy, with success stories of individuals being declared cancer-free after treatment.
- Cost: The therapy offers a more affordable option compared to international prices, with patients paying significantly less for treatment in India. The cost of CAR-T therapy in India is currently estimated to be in the range of Rs 30-40 lakh, with efforts to reduce it further to Rs 10-20 lakh to enhance accessibility.
India's breakthrough in CAR-T cell therapy signifies a significant step forward in cancer care, providing patients with access to cutting-edge treatments that were previously inaccessible or unaffordable.
Sources:
Cancer.gov
India today.in
Times of India
Links
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