The Post Graduate Institute of Oncological Sciences and Research of the Malabar Cancer Centre (MCC) in Kerala’s Thalassery completed CAR-T cell therapy, a cutting-edge cancer treatment. A 19-year-old patient with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia underwent this treatment at the MCC. The CAR-T cells were produced by ImmunoACT, the only approved CAR-T cell company in India. The treatment, which normally costs around ₹50 lakh, was made available for ₹30 lakh through the “Patient Assistance Programme”. Various government schemes also supported the treatment.
What is CAR-T cell therapy?
CAR-T cell therapy is an immunotherapy that uses genetically modified T cells to fight cancer. T cells are a type of white blood cell that plays a crucial role in the immune system. In CAR-T cell therapy, T cells are collected from the patient, genetically modified in a laboratory, and reinfused into the patient to target cancer cells. This therapy is known for its ability to genetically re-program the immune system of patients to combat cancer. It is designed to treat various diseases, including acute lymphocytic leukaemia, multiple myeloma, glioblastoma, and hepatocellular carcinoma.
Benefits of CAR-T cell therapy
State Health Minister Veena George congratulated the team, including the director of MCC for the achievement.