Transformative CART-Cell Therapy Journey at Cytecare Hospitals

In recent years, there has been a significant rise in success rates in cancer treatment, marking a transformative era in oncology. Advances in therapies, early detection methods, and personalized medicine have collectively contributed to higher survival rates and improved quality of life for cancer patients worldwide. These advancements underscore a promising future in the fight against cancer, offering patients and their family’s newfound optimism and hope. One such successful case is that of Rajeev, a 68-year-old retired railway officer from Mysore, who was able to be successfully treated through CART-Cell Therapy at Cytecare Hospitals, the Cancer Centre  which has carried out CAR T-Cell therapy for lymphoma and myeloma in Bengaluru.Cytecare Hospitals is at the forefront of this revolutionising treatment - the first Centre to offer CAR T-cell therapy outside of medical college centres in South India.

When Rajeev retired, he was hoping to embrace a quiet life, with ample leisure hours to be cherished with friends and family. While he was managing hypertension and diabeteswith antihypertensive and insulin therapy, he had no other major health concerns. So, when he was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma IgG Kappa with bone involvement in 2020, his plans for his relaxed golden years rapidly transformed into a life rampant with frequent hospitalisations and declining health.

Rajeev started undergoing various forms of treatment from December 2020 with no result. Following multiple lines of treatment and an autologous stem cell transplant, Rajeevwas presented with the option of CAR T-cell therapy by Dr. Harish P and Dr.Prasad Narayanan at Cytecare Hospitals, Bengaluru’s leading cancer specialty hospital. The treatment showed a significant improvement in response rates from nearly 0% to 80%. Rajeev received the genetically engineered CAR T-cells on 26^thFebruary 2024. Currently, he is completely asymptomatic and only coming in for follow-ups. All his blood parameters, done after 6 weeks of CAR T-cell infusion, show the disease in complete remission and he is off all medications.

For many patients like Rajeev, Cytecare Hospitals has become a beacon of hope and support, right from the initial stages of preparing for CAR-T cell therapy. 

Reflecting on his experience, Rajeev shared, “Cytecare Hospitals did an exceptional job in preparing me for the CAR-T cell therapy process. They provided comprehensive information about the procedure, including what to expect before, during, and after the treatment. The medical team patiently answered all my questions and addressed my concerns, making sure I understood each step of the treatment.When I learned I was in complete remission, it was an overwhelming moment. I am incredibly thankful for the medical team at Cytecare Hospitals who supported me throughout the process. Their dedication has made a profound difference in my recovery journey.”

Commenting on the treatment process, Dr Harish P - Senior Consultant - Medical Oncology, Hemato Oncology & BMT, Cytecare Hospitals explained, “CAR-T cell therapy requires specialized care and expertise to manage potential complications. Navigating through the complexities of CAR-T cell therapy can be overwhelming. Therefore, we ensured that Rajeev felt informed and empowered throughout the journey. There were no complications before, during, and after infusion. The hospital's commitment to thorough pre-treatment evaluations ensure that patients are not only eligible but also mentally prepared for the intensive therapy ahead.” 

Dr. Prasad Narayanan - Senior Consultant & Director - Medical Oncology, Hemato Oncology & BMT at Cytecare Hospitals, emphasized the hospital's approach to handling such complexities. "CAR T Cell therapy is a complex treatment and needs multidisciplinary expertise to handle possible complications," Dr. Narayanan explained. “At Cytecare, our Hemato oncology team, with its experience in stem cell transplants, ensures meticulous monitoring and proactive management of side effects to optimize patient outcomes.”

Cytecare Hospitals continues to lead in personalized cancer care, combining advanced medical technologies with compassionate support. Each patient's journey with CAR-T cell therapy is a testament to the hospital's commitment to excellence and patient-centred care.

What is CAR T-cell therapy?

Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell therapy (CAR T-cell therapy) is a next-generation cancer immunotherapy, approved by the FDA in 2017. It is known for its transformative potential to treat certain blood cancers, and is being studied in the treatment of other types of cancers as well. It is a type of cancer immunotherapy treatment that uses immune cells called T-cells, taken from the patient's blood. The T-cells are then genetically altered in a lab to enable them to locateand destroy cancer cells more effectively. This is done using the following process - the gene for a special receptor, namely the Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR), that binds to a certain protein on the patient’s cancer cells is added to the T-cells in the laboratory. A substantial quantity of CAR T-cells are cultivated in the lab and then administered to the patient via infusion, to combat the disease.India is the first country outside of Europe and the United States to develop its own CAR T-cell therapy.

For more information on CAR-T cell therapy and Cytecare Hospitals' comprehensive cancer treatment programs, visit https://cytecare.com/ or contact 1800-123-6767 / 080-2217-6767