Doctors at AIIMS, Delhi are working on a cost-effective antibody-based adaptive cellular therapy to treat multiple myeloma, a type of cancer. blood cancerThis innovative approach aims to advance treatments CAR-T cell therapy More affordable and accessible to patients in India.

CAR-T cell therapy

CAR-T cell therapy is a form of adaptive cellular therapy where a patient’s T cells are isolated, genetically modified and reintroduced into the body. These modified cells are programmed to recognize and destroy cancer cells. Dr. Mayank Singh, Additional Professor, Department of Medical Oncology, Dr. BR Ambedkar Institute Rotary Cancer Hospital (BRAIRCH), AIIMS, explains, “This therapy focuses on targeting B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA), a tumor-specific protein. Is. In multiple myeloma cells.

The therapy developed by Ames employs BCMA as a target to identify and eliminate multiple myeloma cells. While still in the experimental stage, the therapy has shown promising results in animal models. “Our next step is to initiate Phase-1 clinical trials to gather evidence on its safety and efficacy,” Dr Singh said. He emphasized on the goal of significantly reducing the cost of this therapy compared to existing CAR-T cell treatments, which are prohibitively expensive for most patients in India.

What is multiple myeloma?

Multiple myeloma is a cancer of plasma cells, a type of white blood cell responsible for producing antibodies to fight infection. When these cells become cancerous, they grow uncontrolled and crowd out healthy blood-forming cells in the bone marrow. This condition is notorious for its high recurrence rate, making effective and affordable treatment essential.

Traditional cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy, target rapidly dividing cells, but they often damage normal cells, leading to serious side effects and even fatalities. Over the past two decades, targeted therapies have emerged that take advantage of specific vulnerabilities in cancer cells. However, these treatments often encounter resistance, resulting in recurrence.

role of immunotherapy

The past decade has seen significant advances in immunotherapy, including the development of monoclonal antibodies to target cancer cells. These treatments often involve loading antibodies with chemotherapeutic drugs for targeted delivery, reducing off-target effects and enhancing efficacy.

“Antibody-based therapies have revolutionized cancer treatment, including the creation of cellular CAR-T cell therapies that combine components of these antibodies to target antigens on cancer cells,” said Dr. Singh. Does.” However, the high cost of these treatments makes them inaccessible to many people, especially in countries like India.

Cancer in India: A growing burden

According to the National Cancer Registry, an estimated 14,61,427 new cancer cases were reported in India in 2022. The lifetime risk of developing cancer for Indians is one in nine. The combination of delayed diagnosis and limited access to advanced treatments is expected to increase the burden of cancer in the country in the coming years.

“Immunotherapy has the potential to transform cancer treatment, but their high cost limits their access. Our work at AIIMS is focused on addressing this gap by developing affordable alternatives,” said Dr Singh.

Progress and future plans

The AIIMS research team led by Dr Singh has filed an Indian patent for its antibody and is in the process of filing a patent for its CAR-T cell therapy. “The development of CAR-T cell therapy in India is still in its early stages despite rapid global adoption. Our work aims to bridge this gap,” said Dr Singh.

As this therapy moves closer to clinical trials, researchers are optimistic about its potential to revolutionize cancer treatment in India. By making cutting-edge treatments more accessible, they hope to improve outcomes for countless patients battling multiple myeloma and other forms of cancer.

Get the latest news live on Times Now with breaking news and top headlines from around the world.