Narayana Health City’s CAR T-cell therapy triumphs in cancer treatment

New Delhi: Narayana Health City in Bangalore achieved a breakthrough in cancer treatment with the successful administration of CAR T-cell therapy, marking an advancement in the fight against cancer. This cutting-edge immunotherapy, developed by IMMUNEEL in Bangalore, modifies a patient’s T-cells to better recognize and attack cancer cells.

CAR T-cell therapy, also known as Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell therapy, has shown remarkable efficacy in treating certain blood cancers, including leukemia and lymphoma. The treatment involves genetically engineering T-cells to target and eliminate cancer cells.

“CAR T-Cell therapy has revolutionized the landscape of cancer treatment, offering a lifeline to patients who have exhausted conventional options,” said Dr Sharat Damodar, Senior Consultant Haematologist and Head of Adult BMT at Narayana Health City. “This case exemplifies the potential of CAR T-Cell therapy to provide durable remission in relapsed lymphoma.”

Follicular lymphoma, a prevalent yet aggressive cancer, often resists standard therapies. The recent approval of CAR T-Cell therapy by the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) for commercial use marks a major advancement for patients with relapsed and refractory cancers.

Hamza Khan, a 42-year-old man from Bangalore, became the first patient in South India to undergo this innovative treatment for relapsed follicular lymphoma, as highlighted by the hospital.

Hamza’s cancer journey began in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. After multiple chemotherapy rounds and rituximab maintenance, his cancer relapsed in February 2022, leading to a grim prognosis. Standard treatments, including chemotherapy and an autologous stem cell transplant, failed, and his condition worsened after a severe COVID-19 infection.

In September 2022, Hamza was selected for CAR T-cell therapy. Under the care of Dr. Sharat Damodar, the therapy was successfully administered in November 2022. Under the expert care of Dr. Sharat Damodar, the therapy was administered in November 2022. Hamza experienced minimal side effects and achieved remission, surpassing the significant milestone of one-year post-treatment without a relapse.

Narayana Health City remains at the forefront of these advancements, ensuring that world-class treatment options are available within India. “We are immensely proud of the strides made in cancer treatment at Narayana Health City,” said the hospital’s Facility Director. “Our commitment to adopting cutting-edge therapies like CAR T-Cell underscores our dedication to offering the best possible care and hope to our patients.”