CAR T-Cell therapy: A revolutionary approach to treating blood cancers

For decades, the pillars of cancer treatment have been surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.

- DR MALLIKARJUN KALASHETTY

However, a revolutionary immunotherapy known as Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy is transforming the landscape of blood cancer treatment.

This innovative approach harnesses the power of the body's immune system and offers renewed hope to patients battling conditions like leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma, especially those with limited or no treatment options.

How Does CAR T-Cell Therapy Work?

Unlike traditional treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation, which broadly target cancer cells, CAR T-cell therapy is highly personalized. It involves collecting a patient's own immune cells (T-cells) from their blood and genetically modifying them in a laboratory to produce CAR-T cells. These engineered cells are designed to recognize, attack, and destroy specific cancer cells.

The modified T-cells are multiplied in large quantities to enhance their efficacy against the disease. After undergoing this transformation, the CAR-T cells are infused back into the patient in a single session.