Pioneering a New Era in Cancer Care: CAR T-Cell Therapy

Yashoda Hospitals has achieved a historic breakthrough with the successful administration of a CAR T-cell Therapy product for a patient with relapsed/refractory lymphoma. This milestone marks the dawn of a new era in cancer treatment and highlights our commitment to pioneering cutting-edge cellular therapies. With this advancement, the Yashoda Hospitals Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) and Cellular Therapy Unit further cements its position as a leader in advanced hematologic cancer care in India.

Revolutionizing Cancer Treatment: Understanding CAR T-Cell Therapy

CAR (Chimeric Antigen Receptor) T-cell therapy represents a revolutionary shift in personalized immunotherapy, utilizing the patient’s own immune system to target and destroy cancer cells. This innovative treatment involves genetically modifying T cells to recognize and eliminate malignant cells. Unlike traditional therapies, CAR T-cell therapy can offer long-term remission, offering hope to patients who have exhausted standard options.

Who Can Receive CAR T-Cell Therapy?

CAR T-cell therapy is approved for patients with specific types of B-cell malignancies:

• Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL): For relapsed or refractory cases after two or more lines of therapy
• Mantle Cell Lymphoma (MCL): For relapsed or refractory disease
• Follicular Lymphoma (FL): For relapsed or refractory cases after multiple treatments
• B-Cell Precursor Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL): For patients up to 25 years with refractory disease or in second or later relapse
• Multiple Myeloma (MM): Targeting BCMA, approved for relapsed or refractory MM

The BMT & Cellular Therapy Unit at Yashoda Hospitals: Advancing Precision Medicine

Our Bone Marrow Transplant and Cellular Therapy Unit is at the forefront of hematologic oncology, offering highly specialized, evidence-based care. For this landmark case, we administered talicabtagene autoleucel, a CAR T-cell therapy developed by ImmunoACT, following a rigorous multi-step protocol.

CAR T-Cell Therapy: Step-by-Step Process

1. Apheresis: T cells were collected through a specialized apheresis procedure.
2. Cell Engineering: The cells were genetically modified with chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) in a state-of-the-art lab.
3. Quality Control & Manufacturing: Modified cells underwent strict quality checks before being cleared for use.
4. Lymphodepletion: A conditioning regimen using fludarabine and cyclophosphamide prepared the immune system.
5. Infusion: The final CAR T-cell product was carefully thawed and infused under controlled conditions.

Comprehensive Post-Treatment Monitoring & Safety Protocols

Following infusion, the patient is under intensive surveillance to manage potential immune-related toxicities, ensuring optimal safety and therapeutic outcomes. Key considerations include:

• Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS): A systemic inflammatory response requiring immediate immunomodulatory treatment
• Immune Effector Cell-Associated Neurotoxicity Syndrome (ICANS): Neurological complications ranging from mild to severe
• Immune-Mediated Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (IC-HLH): A rare but serious hyperinflammatory condition
• Prolonged Cytopenias: Extended suppression of bone marrow, often requiring supportive therapies

Expanding the Frontiers of Cellular Therapy at Yashoda Hospitals

Yashoda Hospitals, one of India’s largest quaternary care facilities, is actively working to broaden the scope of CAR T-cell therapy, especially for conditions like Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) and Multiple Myeloma. Our efforts reaffirm our position as leaders in precision oncology and our commitment to delivering transformative patient outcomes.

This breakthrough is just the beginning. Yashoda Hospitals is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of Cellular Therapy, Immuno-Oncology, and Hematologic Malignancy Care — redefining the future of cancer treatment in India and beyond.