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 Autologous CAR T - cell Therapy work?
- Collection: T ‐ cells are collected from the patient’s blood through leukapheresis.
- 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.
- Expansion: The modified T ‐ cells are multiplied in number to increase their effectiveness.
- Infusion: The CAR T ‐ cells are infused back into the patient’s bloodstream after the patient undergoes conditioning therapy.
- Targeting Cancer: These engineered CAR T ‐ cells recognize and attack cancer cells throughout the body, helping eliminate tumors and improve patient outcomes.
Autologous CAR T - cell Therapy
- Source: Uses the patient’s own T ‐ cells
- Availability; Requires weeks to modify and expand cells
- Risk of Rejection: Lower risk (cells from self)
- Cost: Higher due to personalization
- Suitability: Best for patients who can wait
- Procedure: Cells collected from the patient, modified, expanded, and reinfused
- Process: Requires patient-specific T ‐ cell collection, genetic modification, and expansion before 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.