India’s Homegrown CAR T-Cell Therapy
India’s Homegrown CAR T-Cell Therapy: Cancer Treatment and Medical Tourism A Game Changer
While CAR T-cell therapy is a major disruption in the treatment of blood cancers, in India, it is transforming the landscape of cancer treatment, with a unique and life-saving option for patients with blood cancers. Today, when the CAR T cell treatment was once a highly specialized treatment available only in certain countries, it has been developed and cancer treatment cost in India is provided at a fraction of the cost. It isn’t just revolutionizing the care of cancer patients, it’s also taking India into the vanguard of medical tourism.
What is CAR T-Cell Therapy?
Immunotherapy is a revolutionary form of therapy that is being used to treat blood cancers like leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma; CAR T cell therapy. Chimeric antigen receptor or CAR (CAR: use this acronym more), is the receptor made by engineering the T cell’s base which functions like a white blood cell to fight infections. CAR T cell treatment works by taking these T cells and imitating how they would naturally fight a cancer cell and the resulting interaction enhances the body’s response to a tumor.
The process includes several stages:
T-cell Collection: It draws blood (under sterile conditions) from the patient to collect T-cells.
T-cell Engineering: The T-cells are genetically modified to produce a receptor that only hits cancer cells in the lab.
Cell Expansion: Large numbers of cancer-fighting cells are grown from the modified T-cells.
Infusion: The engineered T cells are infused back into the patient’s bloodstream to look for and destroy the cancer.
In those patients with no other treatment options – chemotherapy and radiation – CAR T cell therapy has been shown to be very effective.
CAR T Cell Therapy: Emergy in India
With development at home of its own technology, it has made great strides in advancing CAR T cell therapy in India. Until now, CAR T cell treatment has been available only in Western countries like the United States and could cost more than $400,000. This precluded its use for many patients, in particular from low- and middle-income countries.
But with IIT Bombay, Tata Memorial Hospital, and the National Biopharma Mission, developing their version of CAR T cell therapy in India. This homegrown technology has brought down treatment costs substantially, so that patients can make use of this wherever it is available, including within India and abroad. Despite the treatment not being yet available in India, CAR T cell therapy in India has shown promising clinical results, with patients with resistant blood cancers going into remission after undergoing treatment.
Why India for CAR T Cell Therapy?
With its apt mix of world-class healthcare, internationally trained specialists, and bundled-down treatment options, it is no surprise that India has quickly emerged as a medical tourism hub. Here's why CAR T cell therapy in India is increasingly becoming the go-to choice for cancer patients worldwide:
Affordable Treatment: In the U.S. and Europe, CAR T cell therapy can run upwards of $350,000; in India, it can be up to $100,000 or less. The drastic reduction of cancer treatment cost in India is attractive to international patients who would otherwise seek world-class cancer care at a fraction of the price internationally.
World-class Medical Infrastructure: Top cancer hospital in India are Tata Memorial, Apollo Hospitals, and Medanta, which are equipped with top-notch technology. In addition to providing advanced cancer treatments such as CAR T cell therapy in India, these top cancer hospital in India follow international standards of care for patients and therefore provide the best possible outcomes.
Highly Skilled Oncologists: Some of the best oncologists and hematologists in the world live in India. These doctors have been trained and experienced abroad in leading cancer centers thus they are conversant on the latest treatment protocols including CAR T cell therapy. But patients can be assured that they will be in expert hands and have access to the best and most advanced treatments that money can buy.
Comprehensive Care: Care given by top cancer hospital in India is holistic including CAR T cell treatment but also supportive therapies, rehabilitation, and long-term follow-up. However, the top cancer hospital in India is open to smoothing out patients’ treatment for international patients with the goal of having distinctive, personalized care and meeting their specific requirements.
Medical Tourism-Friendly Policies: Robust policies to support medical tourism have been set up by India. They cover visa arranging, travel arranging, language Interpretation, accommodation, and even assistance with diverse issues. By helping international patients travel to India for CAR T cell therapy, they don’t have to worry as much about logistics (they only have to focus on recovery).
Growing Demand Proven Success: Having shown positive results in the carrier of CAR T cell therapy clinical trials, India compares to the Western countries and their success rates in clinical trials of CAR T cell therapy. This treatment has been shown to remit and improve the quality of life in several patients. The success rate is expected to get better, the more the technology evolves and expands, it attracts more patients around the globe.
Where is the CAR T Cell Therapy Heading to India?
Development of a CAR T cell therapy in India is a signal of becoming a growing leader in cancer care. India is continuing to invest, research and collaborate with the public and private sectors in order to become a global leader in advanced cancer treatments. Over time, as production increases and more hospitals jump onto CAR T cell therapy in India, it will be much more accessible—both to domestic and international patients.
With India’s commitment to the creation of personalized cancer treatments and its robust pharmaceutical industry, it is unlikely that CAR T cell therapy will ever be an unaffordable miracle for patients in India.
Accessing CAR T Cell Therapy in India
CAR T cell therapy in India is very easy if an international patient is looking for it. Many hospitals offer comprehensive medical tourism packages that include:
Video conferencing consultations pre-arrival
Medical visa help and documentation support
Guaranteed multi-lingual coordinator for unambiguous communication.
Options for specific travel and accommodation
Before starting CAR T cell therapy patients undergo a thorough medical evaluation to see if they are even eligible for the approach. The treatment process is then taken care of once the patient is in India with experienced teams also providing great care throughout the patient’s journey.
Conclusion
But homegrown CAR T cell therapy in India, development is a landmark in the cancer battle with an affordable and potentially viable alternative to expensive treatments abroad. India's world-class healthcare, a top cancer hospital in India, skilled oncologists, and significantly lower cancer treatment cost in India make it quickly becomee a top destination for medical tourists looking for advanced cancer care. With the growing global demand for CAR T cell therapy, it is India that is on the cusp of leading the way in making this life-saving treatment available to patients around the world.
