The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu, launched India’s First Gene Therapy for Cancer in IIT Bombay
India’s First Gene Therapy for Cancer: At the centre of IIT Bombay, the President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu, launched 1st gene therapy for cancer named CAR-T cell therapy. CAR-T cell therapy is a collaborative effort between IIT Bombay, Tata Memorial Hospital, and industry partner ImmunoACT.
CAR-T cell therapy
CAR-T cell therapy
Introduction:
CAR T-cell therapy is a groundbreaking approach to cancer treatment, harnessing the power of the immune system to fight cancer cells. This therapy involves altering the patient’s T cells in the laboratory to recognize and destroy cancer cells effectively. While highly effective against certain types of cancers, CAR T-cell therapy can also lead to significant side effects that require careful management.
How CAR T-cell Therapy Works:
CAR T-cell therapy involves modifying T cells from the patient’s blood by introducing a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) gene, enabling these cells to recognize specific cancer cell antigens. Once modified, these CAR T cells are multiplied in the lab and then infused back into the patient’s body, where they can target and destroy cancer cells.
The Treatment Process:
The process of CAR T-cell therapy typically involves several steps, including the collection of T cells from the patient’s blood through leukapheresis, the modification of these cells in the laboratory to express CARs, and the subsequent infusion of the modified CAR T cells back into the patient’s bloodstream.
Approved CAR T-cell Therapies:
Several CAR T-cell therapies have been approved by the FDA to treat certain types of lymphomas, leukaemias, and multiple myeloma. Examples include Tisagenlecleucel (Kymriah), Axicabtagene ciloleucel (Yescarta), Brexucabtagene autoleucel (Tecartus), and others. These therapies are typically used when other treatments have failed.
Possible Side Effects:
While CAR T-cell therapy can be highly effective, it can also lead to serious side effects, including:
- Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS): Characterized by fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, and other flu-like symptoms, CRS occurs as CAR T cells release cytokines, activating the immune system.
- Nervous System Problems: These may include headaches, confusion, seizures, tremors, and other neurological symptoms.
- Other Serious Side Effects: These may include allergic reactions, abnormal mineral levels in the blood, weakened immune system, and low blood cell counts.
Where does India’s First Gene Therapy for Cancer open?
India’s First Gene Therapy for Cancer was initiated at the centre of IIT Bombay.
