President Droupadi Murmu introduced the country's first homegrown CAR T-cell therapy for the treatment of cancer, signifying an important milestone in Indian medicine. The event, which took place at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Bombay, represented a major achievement in the fight against cancer. The launch, which was attended by renowned individuals like IIT Bombay Director Subhasis Chaudhuri, Tata Memorial Center Director Sudeep Gupta, and Maharashtra Governor Ramesh Bais, demonstrated a historic partnership between science, technology, and healthcare.
With the innovative gene-based therapy known as CAR T-cell therapy, a patient's T cells are altered in a lab to specifically target and eliminate cancer cells. "NexCAR19 CAR T-cell therapy," which was co-developed by the Tata Memorial Center and IIT Bombay, is evidence of Indian excellence in medical innovation. It has the potential to significantly reduce treatment costs, allowing accessibility to a larger population.
President Murmu highlighted the expertise of Indian scientists and doctors while emphasizing the therapy's contribution to the 'Make in India' campaign. She referred to it as a "major breakthrough" in the fight against cancer and emphasized how easily accessible and reasonably priced it is, providing individuals worldwide with an immense amount of hope.
The Tata Memorial Center's director, Sudeep Gupta, clarified the importance of the therapy while pointing out that it is extremely expensive outside of India. But NexCAR19 is expected to revolutionize the field of cancer treatment, costing around a fraction of what it does internationally. The therapy provides individualized care at a fraction of the expense, as it is manufactured specifically for each patient under strict parameters.
IIT Bombay Director Prof. Subhasis Chaudhuri linked the achievement to India's space efforts, making a connection between it and Chandrayaan-3's milestone. He highlighted how India's entry into the field of genetic engineering and its placement on the global map of gene and cell therapy are both made possible by the low-cost CAR T-cell treatment.
Gupta highlighted the value of NexCAR19, indicating that it will help about 20,000 Indians every year. This significant milestone has great practical implications as well as being a scientific accomplishment that could save countless lives and decrease suffering.
The introduction of the first domestically produced CAR T-cell therapy in India represents a significant advancement in genetic engineering and cancer treatment. It is a symbol of invention and teamwork, indicating India's capacity to take the lead in developing cutting-edge medical technologies.
(Input from various resources)
(Rehash/Susmita Bhandary/MSM)
