Cancer is a disease that can strike anyone, anytime, and anywhere. It not only affects the patient but also the people around them. Watching a loved one who is suffering from cancer can be a painful experience for anyone. The onset of cancer can cause constant physical and emotional pain. Blood cancer is becoming increasingly prevalent, especially among children. In recent years, a new treatment method called CAR-T Cell Therapy has been discovered and promoted as an effective way to treat this type of cancer.
CAR-T Cell Therapy is a specialized treatment for blood cancer patients that is different from normal chemotherapy. According to oncologist Subir Gangopadhyay, our immune system has two types of cells: ‘B’ cells and ‘T’ cells. In this therapy, the ‘T’ cells are collected from the patient’s body in a special manner and then genetically modified. The modified ‘T’ cells are then re-introduced into the patient’s body. This treatment is specifically used for hematological cancer, leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma, and is often reserved for critical stages of the disease. It is a more expensive treatment and is not used in the first stage.
What is the difference between chemotherapy and CAR-T cell therapy?
CAR-T Cell Therapy is a type of treatment for cancer that has fewer side effects than chemotherapy. Although there may be some general fever and discomfort, a decrease in blood count, and possible nerve problems, the rate of these side effects is low and they are not severe. CAR-T cell therapy involves introducing T cells, which are a part of our body, back into the human body in a stronger form. This means that no foreign body is entering the human body, resulting in fewer side effects. T cells are injected into the human body by increasing their strength in a special process so that they can fight cancer cells effectively and prevent the rapid spread of cancer. It is currently not recommended for use in young adults, and older people are not typically treated with this type of therapy. The duration of treatment is three to four months, followed by observation at different intervals.
What is the potential of CAR-T Cell Therapy in our country or state?
Dr. Gangopadhyay explained that CAR-T Cell Therapy is only available in two places in India. Some products are marketed through genetic engineering but the high cost and lack of advanced genetic engineering in the country are major obstacles. The lack of infrastructure also makes the chances of success less likely. The treatment is beyond the reach of the common people due to its high costs, and even if the medicines are available in the market, the ability to buy them is limited. Therefore, those who can afford the expenses opt for treatment abroad.
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Is it possible to completely cure blood cancer through CAR-T Cell Therapy?
According to Dr. Gangopadhyay, the success rate of CAR-T Cell Therapy is around 75 percent, based on overseas trials. However, it’s important to understand that this success rate is determined over a period of one and a half years in which the person undergoing the therapy is healthy and well. Although CAR-T Cell Therapy has just begun, no one has died from the side effects. However, at least 5 to 7 years of data collection are needed to determine the full effectiveness of the therapy.
Cancer treatment is already quite expensive, how about the cost of the new CAR-T Cell Therapy?
Dr. Gangopadhyay stated that the cost of CAR-T Cell Therapy abroad is currently between 5 to 10 million dollars, while in India, the cost is lower. The launch of ‘Indian CAR-T Cell Therapy’ has made the treatment more accessible, but it still costs about 40 to 50 lakh rupees. The therapy is primarily used in hemato-oncology and is in the beginning stages in India. It is still out of reach for the middle class due to its high cost.
Where is CAR-T Cell Therapy mainly used?
CAR-T Cell Therapy is mainly used in the case of blood cancer to treat leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and acute multiple myeloma. The therapy collects and strengthens the human body’s ‘T cells’, which are immunity cells associated with disease resistance, and reintroduces them into the body through laboratory testing. This allows the ‘T cells’ to fight or attack cancer cells. CAR-T Cell Therapy is used to stop the growth of cancers that spread rapidly, such as carcinoma or carcinogenic cell spreading in various types of blood cancer.
Is it possible to get rid of blood cancer only by doing CAR-T Cell Therapy?
According to Dr. Gangopadhyay, CAR-T Cell Therapy cannot be expected to completely cure blood cancer. The therapy is used to reduce the rate of cancer proliferation in cases such as leukemia or lymphoma, where the tendency for cancer to spread is much higher than other types of cancer. If a patient remains healthy for 5 years after undergoing CAR-T Cell Therapy, it’s considered a success. However, it’s too early to determine the therapy’s effectiveness, and 5 to 7 years of data collection are necessary to make a conclusive determination.
This news is a creative derivative product from articles published in famous peer-reviewed journals and Govt reports:
References:
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Editor
CAR-T cell therapy: promising for cancer, but costly. Research and advocacy needed for affordability and accessibility.