CAR T-Cell Therapy In Gurgaon, Delhi NCR
What Is CAR T-Cell Therapy?
Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell therapy or CAR T-cell therapy is a type of immunotherapy that harnesses the patient’s immune system to fight cancer. This advanced cancer treatment procedure has revolutionized modern medicine, particularly for blood cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma.
Car T-cell therapy involves extracting T-cells from the patient’s blood, genetically modifying them to express chimeric antigen receptors (CARs), and reinfusing them into the patient’s body. These modified cells can now recognize and destroy cancerous cells more effectively. The CAR T-cell therapy offers promising results for patients who do not respond to conventional treatments like chemotherapy or radiation. Unlike traditional cancer treatments, CAR T-cell reduces damage to healthy cells and improves long-term remission rates for certain cancers.
What Are The Different Conditions Treated With CAR T-Cell Therapy?
The application of CAR T-Cell Therapy has expanded significantly over the years, making it a promising option for patients with certain difficult-to-treat diseases. Ongoing research continues to discover the scope of conditions that can benefit from CAR T-cell therapy for improved success rate. CAR T-cell therapy is primarily used for certain blood cancers but it can also be explored for other conditions such as:
B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (B-ALL)
CAR T-cell therapy is highly effective in treating relapsed or refractory B-ALL, a fast-growing blood cancer common in children and young adults. It specifically targets the CD19 protein found in leukemia cells.
Diffuse Large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL)
DLBCL, an aggressive type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, is treated with CAR T-cell therapy when standard treatments like chemotherapy or stem cell transplants fail.
Mantle Cell Lymphoma (MCL)
MCL is a rare and aggressive lymphoma subtype. CAR T-cell therapy offers hope for patients who have not responded to conventional therapies.
CAR T-cell therapy targeting BCMA (B-cell maturation antigen) has shown promising results in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma.
This slow-growing form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma can be treated with CAR T-cell therapy when standard treatments are ineffective.
Who is the Ideal Candidate for CAR T-Cell Therapy?
CAR T-cell therapy is a specialized form of immunotherapy used primarily to treat certain types of blood cancers. The ideal candidate for CAR T-cell therapy includes:
Patients with B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) (typically in children and young adults).
Those with relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma, including diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma, and transformed follicular lymphoma. Patients with mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) or multiple myeloma are also considered eligible for CAR T-cell Therapy.
Individuals who have not responded to standard treatments, such as chemotherapy, radiation, or stem cell transplants are usually recommended to undergo CAR T cell therapy. Additionally, patients who have experienced cancer relapse after initial treatment can also undergo CAR T with proper doctor’s consultation.
Patients must be able to adequately perform daily activities without any major limitations. A good heart, lung, kidney, and liver function are crucial to withstand potential side effects. Also, an ideal candidate must not have any active uncontrolled infections or significant organ damage.
No Severe Autoimmune Diseases
Since the therapy can cause immune system hyperactivation, CAR T-cell therapy is NOT suitable for patients with severe autoimmune disorders.
How To Prepare For CAR T-Cell Therapy?
Preparing for CAR T-Cell Therapy is a crucial step that can significantly impact the successful outcome of the treatment. Since CAR-T Cell Therapy involves modifying the immune system, patients need to follow specific guidelines before starting the procedure.
The pre-therapy preparation phase ensures the body is in the best possible condition to receive the modified T-cells while minimizing risks and maximizing the effectiveness of the therapy. Here are some tips to help you prepare before your CAR T Cell Therapy:
Medical Evaluations
Before CAR T-Cell Therapy, patients must undergo a thorough medical evaluation to determine their eligibility. These assessments help doctors understand the patient’s overall health and identify potential risks associated with the treatment. Tests may include blood work, imaging scans, heart function tests, and bone marrow biopsies.
Pre-Treatment Assessments
Additionally, patients may need to stop certain medications or adjust their current treatments to avoid adverse interactions with CAR T-Cell Therapy. Consulting with the medical team ensures that the procedure is tailored to the patient’s specific needs.
Preparing the Immune System
Since CAR T-cell therapy involves modifying immune cells, patients may be required to undergo conditioning chemotherapy before receiving the treatment. This step helps create a favorable environment for the reinfused CAR T-cells to expand and function effectively. Patients should discuss potential side effects with their healthcare provider and prepare for temporary immunosuppression.
Managing Lifestyle and Nutrition
A well-balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle can help improve treatment outcomes. Patients should focus on:
Eating nutrient-rich foods to strengthen the immune system
Staying hydrated to aid recovery
Avoiding processed and high-sugar foods that could weaken immunity
Getting adequate rest to promote healing and minimize fatigue
What Happens During CAR T-Cell Therapy?
The CAR T-Cell Therapy procedure is a multi-step process that involves several stages:
Cell Collection (Leukapheresis)
Blood is drawn from the patient, and T-cells are separated and collected using a special machine.
The collected T-cells are engineered in a laboratory to express CARs that can recognize cancer cells.
The modified T-cells are multiplied in the lab to ensure a sufficient number for reinfusion.
Conditioning Chemotherapy
Before receiving the CAR T-cells, patients undergo a short course of chemotherapy to prepare their immune system.
Reinfusion of CAR T-Cells
The engineered T-cells are infused back into the patient’s bloodstream, where they begin identifying and eliminating cancer cells.
Patients are closely monitored for potential side effects, including immune reactions such as cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and neurological symptoms.
What to Expect After CAR T-Cell Therapy?
Some patients may experience minor side effects after the therapy which can be managed with post-treatment recovery tips and specific precautions to ensure a smooth recovery:
The immune system may be weakened, making it important to maintain hygiene and avoid crowded places.
Monitoring for Side Effects:
Symptoms like fever, confusion, or difficulty breathing should be reported immediately.
A balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals helps boost immunity and recovery.
Limiting Physical Strain:
Avoiding strenuous activities reduces the risk of complications.
Vaccination Considerations:
Patients should consult their doctor before receiving vaccines, as the immune response might be altered post-therapy.
Recovery And Aftercare Post CAR T-Cell Therapy
The period following CAR T-Cell Therapy is a crucial phase that determines the overall effectiveness and success of the treatment. Since the immune system undergoes significant modifications, patients require close observation to assess their response to therapy.
The post-treatment phase involves consistent monitoring and medical supervision to ensure that the newly introduced T-cells function as intended without causing severe adverse effects. CAR T-Cell Therapy aftercare ensures the best possible recovery and minimizes complications by adhering to the following tips:
Hospital Stay and Monitoring:
Patients often remain in the hospital for at least a week to monitor for side effects like CRS and neurotoxicity.
Frequent Medical Check-Ups:
Regular follow-up appointments help detect any delayed side effects and assess treatment efficacy.
Since the immune system is significantly altered, patients may require additional medications or therapies to prevent infections.
Psychological and Emotional Support:
Counseling and support groups can help patients cope with the physical and emotional aspects of recovery.
Advantages Of CAR T-Cel Therapy
CAR T-Cell Therapy represents a groundbreaking advancement in cancer treatment, offering new hope for patients who have not responded to traditional therapies. As research continues to evolve, the therapy is proving to be a promising option for many patients with a very high success rate. The primary CAR T-Cell Therapy benefits include:
Particularly effective for blood cancers like leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma, with many patients achieving long-term remission.
Curating an individual patient’s immune system to make it a more precise and effective form of therapy.
Reduced Need for Additional Therapies:
Many patients experience long-term remission, reducing dependence on chemotherapy, radiation, or bone marrow transplants.
Potential for Lasting Immunity:
Some studies suggest that CAR T-Cell Therapy could provide a lasting defense against cancer recurrence by training the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells more effectively.
Minimized Side Effects Compared to Traditional Therapies
Unlike chemotherapy and radiation, which harm both healthy and cancerous cells, CAR T-cells specifically target cancer cells, reducing collateral damage and leading to fewer side effects.
Choose Artemis Hospitals For Advanced CAR T-Cell Therapy in Gurgaon
The field of CAR T-Cell Therapy continues to evolve, with ongoing research aimed at improving efficacy, reducing side effects, and expanding its use to treat solid tumors. Scientists are working on next-generation CAR T-cells with enhanced targeting abilities and better safety profiles, potentially making this therapy accessible to a broader range of cancer patients.
At Artemis Hospitals, we have a team of highly skilled oncologists, hematologists, and immunotherapy specialists who have extensive experience in performing CAR T-cell therapies. The hospital also has a multidisciplinary approach, and advanced diagnostic tools and monitoring techniques that enhance treatment precision and patient safety while ensuring personalized treatment plans for every patient.
To book an appointment with a Neurologist at Artemis Hospitals, call our customer care at +91-124-451-1111 or WhatsApp us at +91 9599285476. You can also schedule an appointment through our online patient portal or download and register on the Artemis Personal Health Record mobile app, available for both iOS and Android devices.
Reviewed By Dr. Gaurav Dixit
Unit Head - Haemato Oncology
Artemis Hospitals
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How long does it take to see results from CAR T-Cell Therapy?
CAR T-cell therapy is a multi-step treatment process involving cell collection, genetic modification, and infusion. The process may take a few weeks which includes:
Cell collection involves collecting T Cells from the patient’s blood which takes about 3–4 hours.
Collected T cells are genetically modified and expanded in a lab, which takes 2–3 weeks.
Patients receive chemotherapy over 2–5 days to prepare their body.
Modified T cells are infused back into the patient, usually taking 30–60 minutes.
Monitoring patients closely for at least 1–2 weeks after the procedure.
What are the risks associated with CAR T-Cell Therapy?
Common risks include cytokine release syndrome (CRS), neurotoxicity, infections, and low blood cell counts.
Can CAR T-Cell Therapy be used for solid tumors?
CAR T-cell therapy is mainly used for blood cancers, but research is ongoing to adapt it for solid tumors.
Are there alternative treatments to CAR T-Cell Therapy?
The surgeon may recommend alternative options to CAR T-Cell Therapy which include chemotherapy, radiation, bone marrow transplants, and emerging immunotherapies. However, CAR T-Cell Therapy is a highly advanced procedure with a high success rate.
Can CAR T-Cell Therapy be repeated if cancer returns?
Yes, in some cases, a second round may be possible, but alternative therapies might also be considered based on the patient’s response.
