CAR-T Therapy is like this new tough kid on the block. It is now being hailed as the miracle agent capable of fighting cancer.
A CAR-T therapy involves the infusion of engineered T-cells that express a Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) on their cell membranes and this receptor binds to an external target-binding domain designed specially to recognize a specific tumor antigen and an internal activation domain that is responsible for activating the T-cell when the CAR-T binds its target; thereby enhancing the immune system.
In reality, the T-cells from the patient are extracted and is then genetically modified and expanded in vitro. It is finally reinfused into the patient, ready to fight the cancer/tumor.
Currently, the Pharma giant, Novartis has its own CAR-T Therapy- CTL019, in progress and doing well at the ELIANA trial directed at fighting off Leukemia.
In the Annual meeting of the European Hematology Association (EHA) late last week, Novartis unveiled the drug’s result data showing how the therapy maintained 83% out of 72 patients in complete remission even after six months of experimental therapy. While previous results had indicated an 82% remission of patients in just three months.
The company which has filed for an FDA approval has been granted priority review and is planning
to file with the EMA later this year.Despite seeming like a winning story, the link to CAR-T’s side effects as well as competition from Juno Therapeutics and Kite Pharma in the arena cannot be ignored.
