Cancer is a rapidly increasing serious disease globally, the risk of which is seen increasing year after year. The mortality rate of cancer is also high, about which health experts alert everyone. Health experts say that one of the main reasons for the high death rate from cancer is the lack of timely diagnosis and treatment. In most of the people in the country, cancer is diagnosed in the last stages, from where it becomes very difficult to treat and save the life of the patient.

Cancer has been a major threat in India also. President Draupadi Murmu on Thursday launched the indigenously developed CAR T-cell therapy for cancer treatment at an event organized at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay, Powai. This gene-based therapy developed by IIT Bombay and Tata Memorial Center will help in curing various types of cancer.

According to a study published in The Lancet Regional Health Southeast Asia journal, India recorded nearly 12 lakh new cancer cases and 9.3 lakh deaths in 2019. India is the country with the second highest burden of this disease in Asia. Health experts have expressed hope that CAR T-cell therapy could help in the treatment of cancer.

Cancer treatment with Made in India therapy
NexCAR19 CAR T-cell therapy is India's first 'Made in India' CAR T-cell therapy, which is expected to significantly reduce the cost of treatment.

In the last few years, there has been great success in the treatment of cancer due to technological development and AI, although its accessibility to common people has been difficult due to high cost. Scientists hope that with the help of these new therapies, cancer treatment will become easier.

Therapy will be available at 90 percent lower price
During the inauguration of the therapy, His Excellency said, we have two leading research institutes of India in their respective fields, working hand in hand with industry for humanitarian cause.

The new thing about this indigenous therapy is that its cost is 90 percent less than the therapy available elsewhere. This is the world's cheapest CAR-T cell therapy. Furthermore, it is also an example of the 'Make in India' initiative which reflects the commitment to a self-reliant India. We hope that with the help of this therapy, the country will be strengthened to fight cancer in the coming times.

Know about CAR-T cell therapy
CAR-T cell therapy or chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy is a form of immunotherapy and gene therapy. Complex genetic engineering is required to modify a patient's immune cells, particularly T cells, and prepare them to fight cancer. CAR-T cell therapy is considered one of the most unprecedented advancements in medical science. India has made progress in this direction and developed indigenous therapy.

Will be available in major cancer hospitals
In his address during the event, the President said, I am told that this therapy will be available in major cancer hospitals across the country, giving new hope to patients and their families. Furthermore, this affordable treatment can be made available to all patients around the world. This will be in line with our vision of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”. We need unity and determination to fight cancer, we hope innovations like this will help us achieve our goal.

(PC: Pixabay)