PM Modi launches NexCAR19 | India’s first homegrown CAR T-cell therapy
In a historic stride for Indian healthcare and biotechnology, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched NexCAR19, India’s first indigenous CAR T-cell therapy, aimed at revolutionizing cancer treatment. Developed through a collaborative effort between ImmunoACT, IIT Bombay, and Tata Memorial Hospital, with support from DBT (Department of Biotechnology) and BIRAC (Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council), NexCAR19 positions India firmly on the global map of cell and gene therapy innovation.
NexCAR19 is a form of CAR T-cell therapy—a cutting-edge treatment where a patient’s own T-cells (a type of white blood cell) are genetically modified to express Chimeric Antigen Receptors (CARs). These modified cells can specifically identify and attack cancer cells, offering targeted and highly effective treatment.
The therapy is specifically developed to treat B-cell blood cancers, including,
- Leukemia
- Lymphoma
- It is especially beneficial for patients whose cancers have relapsed or failed to respond to traditional first-line treatments like chemotherapy or radiation.
How CAR T-Cell Therapy Works
CAR T-cell therapy follows a multi-step process,
- Collection: T-cells are extracted from the patient’s blood.
- Engineering: These T-cells are modified in the lab to express CARs that can recognize cancer-specific antigens.
- Multiplication: The modified CAR T-cells are multiplied in large numbers.
- Infusion: The enhanced cells are then infused back into the patient’s body to seek out and destroy cancer cells.
This technique harnesses the body’s own immune system in a highly personalized and effective manner, particularly in hard-to-treat or relapsed cancers.