Why in the news?

  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the NexCAR19.

NexCAR19

  • What is it?: NexCAR19 is a chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy developed in India for treating certain B-cell blood cancers.
  • Developed by: The therapy is developed by ImmunoACT (an incubated company from IIT Bombay) in collaboration with hospitals such as Tata Memorial Centre.
  • How it works: It specifically targets the CD19 protein on B-cell cancers to reprogramme the patient’s own T-cells to attack the cancer cells.
  • Significance:
    • It is India’s first indigenous CAR-T cell therapy, marking a major milestone in biotech & health innovation in India.
    • It can reduce the cost and improve accessibility to patients as against the costly traditional CAR-T Cell therapy.

CAR-T Cell Therapy

  • What is it?:
    • CAR stands for Chimeric Antigen Receptor.
    • It modifies the body’s immune T-cells, transforming them into powerful cancer-fighting cells called CAR-T cells.
  • Working Mechanism:
    • This therapy involves extracting T cells (immune system cells) from a patient’s blood.
    • The T cells are then genetically modified in a lab to create CARs on their surface.
    • CARs act like GPS, helping T cells recognize and target specific proteins in cancer cells.
    • The modified CAR-T cells are then re-infused into the patient’s bloodstream.
    • These CAR-T cells then attack and destroy the cancer cells with enhanced effectiveness.
  • Advantages of CAR-T Cell Therapy:
    • Targeted Therapy: CAR T cells can specifically target cancer cells while minimizing harm to healthy tissues.
    • Potent Effect: CAR T cells can produce a dramatic and long-lasting response in some patients.
    • Personalized Therapy: The treatment is customized for each patient using their own T cells.
  • Disadvantages
    • High Cost: CAR-T cell therapy is a complex and expensive treatment.
    • Side Effects: CAR T cell therapy can cause serious side effects, including cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and neurologic problems.
    • Limited Availability: CAR-T cell therapy is still a relatively new treatment and is not yet widely available.
    • Not Effective for All Cancers: CAR-T cell therapy is currently most effective for certain types of blood cancers, such as leukemia and lymphoma.