Vadodara: On the occasion of the Punya Tithi (death anniversary) of spiritual leader and social worker Anubhen, Mooni Sevashram in Goraj, Vadodara, is set to launch CAR-T cell therapy for cancer patients for the first time in Gujarat. Only a few hospitals in India offer this treatment, at a cost of ₹40 lakh. In contrast, Mooni Sevashram will provide CAR-T cell therapy at half the cost.

Kailas Cancer Hospital and Research Center at Mooni Sevashram offers affordable cancer treatment, which has become a blessing for many poor and middle-class patients. Now, the first CAR-T cell therapy laboratory in Gujarat is set to open, with an estimated cost of ₹12 crore. The launch will take place on December 18, coinciding with Pujya Anubhen’s death anniversary.

What is CAR-T Cell Therapy?

Known as a living drug, CAR-T cell therapy involves modifying T-cells to fight cancer. When traditional treatments fail, CAR-T therapy is used. This therapy has shown promise for patients with B-cell leukemia and B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma, where the body’s immune system fails to fight the cancer cells effectively.

How does CAR-T Therapy Work?

To begin, the patient’s blood is collected. Clinical processes are performed to extract T-cells from the blood. The T-cells are then modified in a special kit using a vector, teaching them to target cancer cells. T-cells are chosen because they can genetically fight harmful pathogens.

Cancer cells often evade the immune system, which is why the patient’s T-cells are genetically reprogrammed to fight cancer cells. These reprogrammed T-cells are then reintroduced into the patient’s body.

CAR-T therapy has gained significant attention in the medical communities of America and European countries, where it costs between ₹3 to ₹4 crore. Only a few hospitals in India offer this therapy, with a cost of ₹40 lakh. In contrast, Mooni Sevashram plans to offer it at half the cost.

The Gujarat Cancer Research Institute at Ahmedabad Medcity, which operates under the state government, is also planning to start clinical trials for CAR-T cell therapy in the coming days. DeshGujarat