CAR-T Cell Therapy is used for treating specific relapsed or refractory B-cell cancers (lymphomas and acute lymphoblastic leukemia) when other standard treatments have been unsuccessful. It involves genetically modifying your body’s T-cells in a controlled laboratory setting, and then re- infusing the modified T-cells, which are empowered to identify & destroy certain B-cell cancers.
Consult Dr. Kunal Goyal, Consultant – Haemato-oncologist, BMT and Cellular Therapies (CAR-T) to understand whether CAR-T therapy is right for you in case you have been diagnosed with one of the following disorders:
This therapy is of great use when despite of previous cancer treatments your cancer returned or was not effectively treatable. CAR-T therapy could be a promising option for you. T-cells, a type of immune cell in your body, are naturally designed to combat cancer. However, they may not always function effectively against it. CAR-T therapy enhances your T-cells by equipping them with specialized tools to precisely target and destroy cancer cells.
CAR-T therapy may cause side effects that are severe and/or life-threatening. Call/visit your physician or get emergency help right away if you get any of the following:
Additionally, before receiving CAR-T Cells, inform your physician about any medical issues, including:
Q. How is this different from other drugs which are available off-the-shelf at the Pharmacy?
A. CAR-T cells are made from a patient’s own T-cells. When these cells are in sufficient number, they are extracted and modified to target your cancer cells. This is a process that is performed individually for each patient and then tested Hence, this process can take ~19 days from leukapheresis (the extraction of the required cells).
Q. What if my cancer burden increases during the waiting period?
A. Your CAR-T Specialist (Dr.Kunal Goyal) may choose to administer an appropriate therapy to reduce your tumour burden prior to the CAR-T cells infusion, known as ‘Bridging Therapy’.
Q. What is CRS? How may days after the therapy would CRS be expected?
A. Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS) is the most frequent after-effect of this therapy.It is a condition that can occur after certain cancer treatments, that may cause the immune system to overreact. However, it is expected within the first 4 weeks of the infusion, not long term.
Q. What are the recommended health precautions after a CAR-T cell therapy?
A. Apart from the regular precautions advised by your CAR-T specialist for chemotherapy, it is advised to consume meals cooked under hygienic conditions, keep away from crowded places and follow-up regularly with your CAR-T specialist.
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