• Acronym  for Chimeric Antigen Receptor T–Cell Therapy;
• Innovative  immunotherapy in which T-cells (a type of white blood cell) are genetically modified to express a receptor (CAR) that targets specific proteins on cancer cells.
• T-cells are part of the immune system and help identify and eliminate infected or cancerous cells.

• To treat blood cancers, especially B Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (B-ALL) and Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (B-NHL).
• Aimed at patients whose disease relapsed or was resistant to conventional treatments (chemotherapy, radiation).
• Specifically targets CD19, a protein found on the surface of B-cells, which includes cancerous B-cells.

• Developed jointly by Indian Institute of Technology (IIT-Bombay) and Tata Memorial Center (TMC), Mumbai since 2015.
• Approved by DCGI (Drug Controller General of India) in March 2021 for Phase 1 trials in children and adults with relapsed B-ALL and B-NHL.
• Supported by academic grants from Department of Biotechnology and government agencies.
• Trials were conducted at Tata Memorial Center (TMC), and other hospitals.

• Phase 1 Trials: Conducted from 2021 to 2023 on children and adolescents with B-ALL and adults with B-NHL, with promising results matching international standards in terms of efficacy and safety.
• Phase 2 Trials: Have been approved and are currently ongoing. These trials will expand on the efficacy and long-term safety of the therapy, including larger cohorts of patients.

Future Scope: Holds the potential for expanding to other cancers, such as Multiple Myeloma, Glioblastoma, and Hepatocellular Carcinomas, based on continued research and results from Phase II trials.

PYQ:

[2022] Which one of the following statements best describes the role of B cells and T cells in the human body?

(a) They protect the environmental allergens body.
(b) They alleviate the body’s pain and inflammation.
(c) They act as immuno-suppressants in the body.
(d) They protect the body from diseases caused by pathogens.