Medically Reviewed By: Dr. David Warmflash (MD), Dr. Shelley Janssen (MD)
CAR T-Cell Therapy for Cancer in India: Cost, Hospital & Approved Oncology Program
Explore cutting-edge CAR T-cell therapy for cancer in India. Find the best hospital and treatment at low costs. Learn about the approved Indian technology and successful trials.
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Understanding Terms
T- Cells - Lymphocytes
Lymphocytes - A type of White Blood cell in the body that fights infection
Heametological Malignancies - Blood Cancer
CAR or Chimeric Antigen Receptor - A type of gene processed in a lab and added to human T-cells in order to fight cancer
Antigen - Protein in the body that acts like a red flag and alerts the body of a foreign presence to fight
Remission - Reduced symptoms of cancer after treatment
Regulatory Bodies Worldwide That Approve CAR T-Cell Therapy
Below are the highest authorities that approve medication and consumables in a country.
All these bodies are counterparts to each other, ensuring public health safety.
| Country | Regulatory Body |
| United States | FDA - Food and Drug Administration |
| India | CDSCO - Central Drugs Standard Control Organization |
| United Kingdom | NICE - The National Institute of Health and Care Excellence |
| China | NMPA - National Medical Products Administration |
| Germany (Part of the EU) | EMA - European Medicines Agency |
What Is the Cost of CAR T-Cell Therapy for Cancer in India
The cost of CAR T-cell therapy for cancer in India ranges between US$50,000 - US$85,000.
Here is a cost comparison between India and other countries where CAR T-cell therapy for cancer is approved.
| Country | Cost in USD |
| India | $50,000 - $85,000 |
| US | $450,000[1] |
| China | $119,000 - $140,000 [2] |
| UK | $350,000 [3] |
| Germany | $320,000 [4] |
| UAE | $200,000 |
| Israel | $120,000 |
*Cost is subject to change as per the case
India can be seen as the most affordable country, where approved CAR T-Cell therapy is available, with up to 90% savings for overseas patients.
Cost Package for International Patients in India
The cost package in India for international patients is around USD$50,000 - $85,000.
Know the timelines and details of cost package here:
| Part of treatment | Duration of Stay | Location of Stay | Cost Included or Excluded |
| Pre-treatment Investigations | 3-4 days | Hotel | Excluded |
| Main Treatment | 28 days | Hospital | Included |
| Post-treatment Follow up | 3- 4 months | Hotel | Excluded |
*Timeline could vary as per the treatment plan
- Stay and meals for the patient during the treatment time
- Stay and meals for the companion during the treatment time
- Complete therapy (including all lab work, blood work and genetic alterations)
- Consultation of the main specialist and full team
- All medications
- Investigation and follow-up phases of the treatment
- Additional surgery or procedure
- Consultation of a doctor of unrelated speciality
- Medication apart from the treatment plan
- Extra specialised equipment & PPP are required
The follow-up happens 2 times a week for around 3-4 months.
During the follow-up stage, overseas patients can choose budget stays, like apartments, with the help of our advisors.
Typically, an apartment costs USD$700-1000 per month.
Patients who would like to stay in luxury hotels would need to spend around USD$4500-$6000.
Why Is CAR T-Cell Therapy for Cancer Expensive?
CAR T-cell therapy, a type of immunotherapy, is relatively new, and studies are underway. Sometimes, cells from the patient’s own immune system are harnessed and genetically modified to express a CAR.
Increasingly more common, however, is therapy utilizes cells from a healthy donor, from umbilical cord cells, or from other sources. This is called allogeneic, as cells from someone other than the indented recipient are genetically modified to express a CAR to fight the cancer.
Many variations of this strategy are in the works, and generally, they all require customized production, but different approaches go through different levels of testing. Scientists are trying to get to the point at which allogeneic CAR T-cells will be available “off-the-shelf” for particular cancers.
Dr. David Warmflash
Here are some of the reasons why the treatment is expensive as compared to the others.
- Complex processes like cell extraction, genetic modification, and multiplication in a lab.
- Customised treatment for each patient. But this is changing. In the future, such treatments may be “off-the-shelf.”
- Inpatient environment, adding to the hospitalisation charges. Upto $85,000[5] in the US, as per research.
- Quality control and safety measures.
- Limited scalability of manufacturing processes.
Travel for CAR T-Cell Therapy in India To Treat Cancer
International patients have the hope to get quality treatment with almost 90% cost savings in India.
International Patient Journey
Our medical advisors ensure a seamless patient journey from start to finish.
Find below a snapshot of the international patient journey.
CAR T-cell treatment is customised as per the patient.
CAR genes created in a lab are unique.
Complex tests are conducted on each patient by specialists to check whether the treatment would work or not.
Some patients' bodies may not accept a particular CAR. Eligibility for the therapy varies from person to person.
Once the doctor in India decides that the patient is eligible, they are asked to come to India for another round of pre-investigations.
Overview: Global Perspective on CAR T-Cell Therapy
CAR T-cell therapy is a game changer in the field of oncology worldwide. The treatment uses the immune system components to fight cancer without hindering the patient’s own immune system.. Read more in the Procedure section.
FDA approved the first CAR T-cell therapy for cancer in 2017 in the US[6]. Post this, other countries in Europe and China conducted trials and received approvals from their designated authorities.
In 2022, the countries mentioned below conducted ongoing clinical trials for CAR T-cell therapy.[7]
| Country | Number of Trials |
| China | 460 |
| United States | 286 |
| UK | 14 |
| Germany | 9 |
| India | 2 |
For years, India has been studying ways to produce CAR T-cell therapy at an affordable price.
Scientists from top Indian academic and medical institutes backed by the premier National Institutes of Health in the US finally developed indigenous CAR T-cell therapy in India. In 2023, CDSCO approved India's first CAR T-cell therapy after 2 successful clinical trials.[8]
Why CAR T-Cell Therapy for Cancer in India?
The biggest challenge this new cancer treatment faces is the high cost.
India offers hope to foreigners who cannot afford the high prices yet require effective treatment.
After the 2020 pandemic, India emerged as the world leader in the manufacturing of medicines and vaccines.[9] India made another breakthrough in healthcare by designing its very own CAR T-cell therapy.
Through local manufacturing, India started producing and using CAR T-cell therapy commercially, with up to 90% cost savings compared to the US.
India does not have any waiting time for CAR T-cell therapy. Foreigners can get affordable treatment access immediately. In the US, as per reports, the wait time for CAR T-cell therapy can be as long as 6 months.[10]
Comparison Between CAR T-Cell Therapy and Bone Marrow Transplant To Treat Blood Cancers
CAR T-cell therapy and bone marrow transplants are used to treat blood cancers. India offers top oncology programs for overseas patients for both treatments.
Let’s do a quick comparison of the two options.
| Parameters | CAR T-Cell Therapy | Bone Marrow Transplant |
| Cost | $50,000 - $85,000 | $30,000 - $40,000 |
| Duration of trip | 3- 4 months | 3- 4 months |
| Eligibility | Patients who have relapsed after chemotherapy or other treatments | Patients who have had partial remission from high doses of chemotherapy |
| Side-effects | Cytokine release syndrome.
Weakened Immune system Nausea & fatigue Fever & joint pain Risk of infections |
Graft vs. host disease.
Nausea & fatigue Difficulty in blood clotting Infertility Risk of Infections Lung damage Bone damage Thyroid damage |
| Success rate | 80% | 81% |
| Outcomes | 30- 100 days complete recovery | 100 days complete recovery[11] |
| Difference | There is no requirement for external donors. The patient’s T-cells are used to fight cancer.
The patient need not respond well to chemotherapy for CAR T-cell therapy. |
Getting a perfect donor is a huge challenge in Autologous BMT
Patients should respond positively to chemotherapy for autologous BMT. |
| Final Verdict | Studies have revealed that CAR T-cell therapy can prove to be better than more traditional forms of cancer treatment tactics, which include chemotherapy or even bone marrow transplant, although such treatments often are used in concert with immunotherapy.
Despite higher costs, CAR T-cell therapy is proving to be highly effective in its early stages. Chemotherapy can be reserved for later stages to finish off the remaining tumor burden. 50% of people who get into partial recovery translate into complete remission by day 100.[12] |
|
Certain times, CAR T-cell therapy has been administered after an ineffective bone marrow transplant.
Ultimately, both treatment options can help treat blood cancers, depending on patient requirements.
To learn more about bone marrow transplants in detail, read our blog on Bone Marrow Transplant for leukaemia in India.
What Is the Success Rate of CAR T-Cell Therapy in India?
The success rate for CAR T-cell therapy in India is 80%, as per studies.[13] Developments in oncology treatment are still ongoing. New research methodologies are trying to find ways to better this treatment.
Procedure: CAR T-Cell Therapy
CAR T-cell therapy is a type of Immunotherapy that is assured to change the way that cancer is treated and involves the use of genetic engineering and cell therapy.
CAR T-cell therapy usually comes into play if all other options do not work for a patient.
How Does CAR T-Cell Therapy Work?
CAR T-cell therapy modifies certain types of T-cells to recognize and attack cancer cells with utmost precision. This is done by providing the cells a genetic sequence that encodes a CAR.
This transforms the T-cells into guided missiles that attach the particular cancer cells with exquisite precision. Minimizing the amount of chemotherapy needed can also help preserve that patient’s immune function, which will also fight against cancer.
How Does CAR T-Cell Therapy Treat Cancer?
CAR T-cell therapy takes place in 3 main steps:
Involves extracting the T-cells from the patient's body through a process called Leukaleukapheresis.[14]
T-cells are taken to a lab and changed by adding the CAR gene to it. Then, the CAR T-cell is multiplied artificially.
Insertion of the CAR T-cells back into the patient's body. The multiple altered cells can fight the target cancerous cells with high accuracy.
What Type of Cancers Can CAR T-Cell Therapy Treat?
CAR T-cell therapy can treat different types of blood cancers, such as:[15]
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia - ALL
ALL affects lymphocytes, which comprise a category type of white blood cell WBC.
Acute myeloid leukemia - AML
One of the most aggressive types of blood cancers, AML, affects myeloid cells. These abnormal myeloid cells multiply rapidly and prevent good cells from functioning.
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia- CLL
This is a condition in which lymphocytes grow out of control, but the growth is slower than ALL, which involves lymphoblasts, which are less mature than lymphocytes.
Multiple myeloma
Plasma cells in the body become cancerous. Neoplastic plasma cells multiply and prevent healthy cells from functioning.
Non-Hodgkin B-cell lymphoma
Affects the lymphatic system. Lymphocytes grow abnormally.
H3: Watch Experts in India Speak on the Latest CAR T-Cell Therapy
Discover the groundbreaking world of CAR T-cell therapy in India and watch as experts talk about this advanced treatment. Know how to access effective treatment at low costs and understand the procedure and timelines for international patients.
CAR T-Cell Therapy for Cancer in India: A New Hope to Fight Battle Against Cancer
What Are the Benefits of CAR T-Cell Therapy?
- Precision: Modified T-cells attack the cancer cells with high precision and do not damage other healthy body parts.
- Faster recovery time: As the healthy cells are not damaged, the recovery time is faster than conventional cancer treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation.
- Longer remission period: After treatment, the chances of cancer coming back are lower in patients.
What Are the Side Effects of CAR T-Cell Therapy?
Cytokine release syndrome (CRS) is one of the complications of CAR T-cell therapy. When cytokine is released, it triggers the immune system to attack anything foreign in the body. CRS effects can include:
- High fever and trouble breathing
- Severe nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Body pain
Which is the Best Hospital for CAR T-Cell Therapy in India?
Max, Vaishali, a 370+ bed facility, offers advanced care across 28 specialties, including Oncology, Cardiac Sciences, Neuro Sciences, Orthopaedics, and Transplants.
With 259+ expert doctors, it provides integrated, multidisciplinary medical services.
- NABH Accreditation
- NABL Accreditation
- 28+ Specialities
- State-of-the-art facilities and comprehensive support services for patients undergoing CAR-T cell therapy.
- Top haematology experts who provide advanced oncology care to patients.
- NABH-accredited multidisciplinary hospital with over 260 leading specialists.
Who is the best specialist for CAR T-Cell Therapy in India?
Dr. Esha Kaul( BLK-Max Super Speciality Hospital )
American board-certified, Dr. Kaul is the Director of Hematology, Hemato-Oncology, and BMT at Max Hospital.
As a DNB in Hematology from Tufts Medical Center, USA, she is among the few doctors in India offering advanced treatments in her field.
Education
- All India Institute of Medical Sciences
- Tufts Medical Center, USA
Memberships
- American Society of Hematology
- American Society of Transplant and Cellular Therapy
- International Myeloma Society
Conclusion
Now that you know all about CAR T-cell therapy for cancer in India, what are you waiting for?
Get low-cost treatment at the best hospital today. With approved and certified technology at your fingertips, find quality oncology care with us.
Is CAR T-Cell Therapy for Cancer in India Safe?
Yes, CAR T-cell therapy for cancer in India is safe. As per studies last year, which led to approvals, India showcased no requirement for ICU admissions or development of neuro-toxicity in patients, like the counterpart studies in the West.[16]
FAQ
Yes, CAR T-cell therapy for cancer is approved in India by CDSCO, which is the Indian counterpart to the FDA in the US or the European Medicines Agency, EU.
All countries that have been approved for CAR T-cell therapy by regulatory bodies are good to get the treatment.
However, India seems to be the most affordable option, with high-quality CAR T-cell programs that benefit overseas patients.
References
- National Cancer Institute: CAR T Cells: Engineering Patients’ Immune Cells to Treat Their Cancers
- Journal of Medical Economics: Cost-effectiveness analysis of CAR-T cell therapy for patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma in China
- Cancer Research UK: ‘Cutting edge’ CAR T cell immunotherapy approved in England. But is the NHS ready?
- Annals of Oncology: 1603P Can we reduce the acquisition cost of CAR T cell therapies?
- National Library of Medicine: Price and Prejudice? The Value of Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-Cell Therapy
- National Cancer Institute: CAR T Cells: Engineering Patients’ Immune Cells to Treat Their Cancers
- Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute: Systematic Review of Available CAR-T Cell Trials around the World
- National Cancer Institute: India’s First Homegrown CAR T-Cell Therapy Has Roots in NCI Collaboration
- Science Direct: CAR-T cell therapy in India requires a paradigm shift in training, education and healthcare processes
- American Society of Haematology: The Dark Side of CAR-T
- Blood & Marrow Transplant Information Network: Treatment Options for Lymphoma Patients: When to Consider Transplant or CAR-T
- Blood & Marrow Transplant Information Network: Treatment Options for Lymphoma Patients: When to Consider Transplant or CAR-T
- Spandidos Publication: CAR T cell therapy: A new era for cancer treatment (Review)
- American Cancer Society: CAR T-cell Therapy and Its Side Effects
- European Journal of Haematology: CAR-T cell therapy in haematological malignancies: Where are we now and where are we heading for?
- The Times of India: Why CAR-T cell therapy is new frontier in cancer care
