CAR T-Cell therapy(chimeric antigen receptor) is mainly performed for some specific types of blood cancer. It is a kind of technique which improves the strength of an individual’s own immune system to fight from the cancer cells. It modifies the T cells present in the body so that it better identifies and damage the cancer cells. This is mainly performed for specific types of blood cancers like leukemia, multiple myeloma, lymphoma, etc. With us, patients from across the world can get this therapy in India, Thailand, Dubai and many other countries through highly expert doctors who provide personalised and safe health care facilities.

Who Needs CAR T-Cell Therapy?

CAR T-Cell therapy is a technique which is mainly performed for some specific blood cancers. This procedure can be applied to both children and adults. If a child or an adult is having any of the following blood cancers than they may go for CAR T Cell therapy after taking advise from a doctor.

B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Follicular Lymphoma
Multiple myeloma
Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Mantle Cell Lymphoma

Types of CAR T-Cell Therapy

There are many types of CAR T-Cell therapy present which are mainly discovered to target different types of antigens that live on the surface of cancer cells, such as:

Tisagenlecleucel: This therapy is mainly performed for the treatment of adult B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, large B cell lymphoma and follicular lymphoma.
Axicabtagene Ciloleucel: An immunotherapy which mainly focuses on the antigen in large B-cell lymphoma and follicular lymphoma.
Brexucabtagene Autoleucel: Another type of this therapy, which is mainly performed to target an antigen in mantle cell lymphoma & adult B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
Lisocabtagne Maraleucel: This therapy is used to target CD19 antigen in large B-cell lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, follicular lymphoma and mantle cell lymphoma.
Idecabtagene Vicleucel: It usually focuses on the B-cell maturation antigen in multiple myeloma.
Ciltacabtagene Autoleucel: This therapy is performed to target the B cell maturation in multiple myeloma.
Obecabtagene Autoleucel: This therapy is used in adult B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia to target the CD19 antigen.

Contraindications of CAR T-Cell Therapy

It is considered as a better choice to treat specific types of blood cancers but is not helpful for everyone. If the patient has the following conditions then they may not be fit for this therapy:

If an individual is infected from HIV, hepatitis, etc.
If a person have autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, etc.
High levels of diabetes, heart disease, etc.
The breastfeeding stage of a woman.
Solid tumors.
Patients who have gone through this therapy once.
Age can be a factor especially for older individuals.
Psychological Factors.

How to Prepare for CAR T-Cell Therapy

Here are some of the important steps which an individual may consider while preparing themselves for this therapy that may provide the best positive outcomes:

Consultation: In the beginning, doctors check the medical history and the health condition of a patient.
Physical Exams & Imaging Tests: Doctors perform certain tests which include CT & MRI scans, and blood tests.
Pre Treatment Assessments: Health care experts evaluate whether the heart, lungs, and kidney functioning properly or not.
Vaccinations: Certain vaccines are given to the patient which help them to protect from infections.
Discussion about Medications: In this patients tell their health care experts about the medicines they are currently taking.
Psychological Support: Family, friends or health care support is important for an individual during therapy which helps them to handle their emotions while treatment.
Lifestyle Change: An individual should follow a balanced diet, drink lot of water and avoid heavy workouts. This helps to prepare themselves before the therapy.

CAR T Cell Therapy: Step-by-Step Procedure

Here is the breakdown of the procedure, such as:

Collection of T-Cells: In the beginning, doctors collect the patient’s blood and separate the T cells from it. This process is called leukapheresis.
Lab Modification: After the collection of T cells, doctors send them to the labs for the modification of CARs. This helps T-cells to identify the cancer cells and damage them more effectively.
Expansion of CAR T-Cells: When the modification is done, experts culture and expand these cells in the lab. This is done so that the number of T-cells gets increased which generally takes a few days.
Prep for Infusion of CAR T-Cells: In this phase, doctors reduce the number of immune cells to create space for inserting the CAR T-cells with the help of chemotherapy. After this, they inject it into the patient’s blood.

Benefits of CAR T-Cell Therapy

Some of the benefits of this therapy is given below:

This therapy mainly focus on damaging cancer cells.
Improves quality of life.
The chances of rebirth of cancer cells are less.
Higher Survival rates.
Side effects from this therapy is less.
This therapy is performed according to the patient’s approach.

Risks & Complications: CAR T-Cell Therapy

Some of the risks & complications which may occur after the CAR T-Cell Therapy:

Cytokine Release Syndrome
Immune Effector Cell Associated Neurotoxicity Syndrome
Coma
Severe Headaches
Low Blood Counts
Infections like fungal, viral, etc.
Allergy
Changes in Immune Function

Cost of CAR T-Cell Therapy in India

The cost of CAR T-Cell therapy in India generally ranges from approx INR 30,00,000 to 50,00,000. It can vary depending upon the location, hospital, doctors, level of complexity of a patient, etc. The cost of this therapy in India is approx one tenth as compared to other western countries.