Therapies

What is CAR T-Cell Therapy?

CAR T (Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell) therapy is a revolutionary cancer treatment that uses a patient’s own immune cells or donor cells, to fight cancer.

How does CAR T-Cell Therapy work?

  1. Collection: T-cells are collected either from the patient’s blood through leukapheresis (Autologous CAR T) or sourced from a healthy donor (Allogeneic CAR T).
  2. Modification: The collected T-cells are genetically engineered in a laboratory to express Chimeric Antigen Receptors (CARs) on their surface, enhancing their ability to target cancer cells.
  3. Expansion: The modified T-cells are expanded in number to increase their effectiveness. In Autologous CAR T, this occurs using the patient’s own cells, while in Allogeneic CAR T, pre-manufactured donor cells are expanded.
  4. Infusion: The CAR T-cells are infused into the patient’s bloodstream. For Autologous CAR T, this occurs after the patient undergoes conditioning therapy, while Allogeneic CAR T may be available for immediate infusion.
  5. Targeting Cancer: These engineered CAR T-cells recognize and attack cancer cells throughout the body, helping eliminate tumors and improve patient outcomes.

CAR T Process

Types of CAR T-Cell Therapy

Type Autologous CAR-T Allogeneic CAR-T
Source Uses the patient’s own T-cells Uses donor T-cells (off-the-shelf)
Availability Requires weeks to modify and expand cells Readily available, faster treatment
Risk of Rejection Lower risk (cells from self) Higher risk (cells from donor)
Cost Higher due to personalization Potentially lower due to mass production
Suitability Best for patients who can wait Ideal for urgent cases or patients with weak immune systems
Procedure Cells collected from the patient, modified, expanded, and reinfused Pre-prepared donor cells infused directly into the patient
Process Requires patient-specific T-cell collection, genetic modification, and expansion before infusion Donor-derived CAR-T cells are pre-manufactured and ready for immediate infusion

Benefits

Personalized Treatment : Uses the patient’s own cells, reducing the risk of rejection.

Targeted Action : Specifically designed to attack cancer cells.

Potential for Long-Term Remission : Some patients experience prolonged remission after treatment.

Targeting Specific Cancer Markers

Category Type of Car t Condition or Disease
Solid Tumors PSMA Prostate Cancer, Glioblastoma, Lung Cancer, Renal Cell Carcinoma
HER2+ Breast Cancer, Gastric Cancer, Ovarian Cancer, Glioblastoma, Colorectal Cancer, Lung Cancer, Endometrial Cancer, Gall Bladder Cancer, Cholangio Carcinoma
IL-13Rα2 Glioblastoma, Colorectal Cancer, Breast Cancer, Adreno Corticol Tumor
Claudin 18.2 Gastric Cancer, Pancreatic Cancer, Cholangiocarcinoma, Hepatocellularcarcinoma (HCC), Genitourinary Cancer, Colorectal Cancer, Esophageal Cancer
GPC3 Hepatocellularcarcinoma (HCC), Yolk Sac Tumors, Wilms Tumors, Squamous Cell Lung Cancer, Head to Neck Squamous Cell Cancer, Breast Cancer
Mesothelin Mesothelioma, Pancreatic Cancer, Ovarian Cancer, Lung Adenocarcinoma, Cholangiocarcinoma, Gastric Cancer, Triple - Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC), Thymic Cancer, Urothrelial Cancer, Prostate Cancer, Uterine Cancer
CEA Colorectal Cancer, Gastric Cancer, Pancreatic Cancer, Lung Cancer, Breast Cancer, Urinary Bladder Cancer, Uterine Cancer, Ovarian Cancer, Medullary Thyroid Cancer
CD30 CAR T Germ Cell Tumor
Blood Cancers CD19 CAR T B-ALL & B Cell Lymphoma
Dual CD19+CD22 CAR-T B-ALL & B Cell Lymphoma
BCMA CAR T Multiple Myeloma
DUAL CS1-BCMA CAR T Multiple Myeloma
CD30 CAR T Hodgkin's Lymphoma and ALCL, NK/T-cell lymphoma, PMBCL

Process

During Therapy

The infusion process is typically done on an inpatient basis.

After Therapy

Regular follow-up is essential to monitor for side-effects and assess the effectiveness of the treatment.

Recovery

Patients may experience fatigue, fever, or other immune-related reactions as the body responds to the therapy.

CAR T-cell therapy is unique because it uses specially engineered immune cells—either from the patient (autologous) or a donor (allogenic)—to precisely target and kill cancer cells, unlike conventional treatments that act more broadly.

In a research in 2023, Of the 30 patients, considered to be incurable, 27 (90%) achieved complete remission and 22 showed minimal presence of cancer cells, one month after infusion. Six months post-infusion, the overall survival rate was 78%.
Source: CAR T Cell Therapy: A Versatile Living Drug - PMC

CAR T-cell therapy is for cancer patients whose disease has returned even after trying conventional treatments like chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery. A thorough evaluation by a medical team is crucial to determine if CAR T therapy is the right option for a patient.

  • Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS) : A common side effect, which may cause fever, fatigue, and low blood pressure.
  • Neurotoxicity : Some patients may experience confusion, headaches, or seizures.
  • Other Side Effects: Includes infusion reactions, infections, and general fatigue.

Alternative options may include:

  • Other immunotherapies
  • Targeted therapies
  • Participation in additional clinical trials
  • Supportive care to manage symptoms and improve quality of life

Coverage can vary by insurance provider and plan. Patients should consult their healthcare provider and insurance company to understand their coverage options and potential out-of-pocket costs.

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