Pioneer Next-gen Cell-based Immunotherapy

Strengthening their position as Centres of Excellence in Precision Oncology in the city, MGM Cancer Institute and MGM Healthcare Malar, Adyar have successfully administered Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell Therapy (CAR-T Cell Therapy), a next-generation cell-based immunotherapy, saving the lives of two elderly patients with aggressive cancers after conventional therapies had failed. A breakthrough in personalised cancer care, CAR-T Cell Therapy involves engineering a patient’s own immune cells to identify and eliminate cancer cells. The therapy offers new hope for patients with challenging and advanced-stage cancers, particularly those whose disease has relapsed or progressed despite standard therapies. Among the beneficiaries was a 70-year-old man who had been battling lymphoma, a cancer of the lymphatic system, for over eight months. His treatment was complicated by underlying cardiac issues that limited the use of full-dose chemotherapy. After a relapse left him with very few conventional options, he underwent CAR-T therapy at MGM Healthcare Malar, Adyar. The second patient, a 62-year-old man, had been diagnosed with refractory Diffuse Large B- Cell Lymphoma, an aggressive and fast-growing form of lymphoma, affecting infection-fighting B cells. He had failed to respond to first-line chemotherapy administered four months earlier, and his prognosis was considered poor due to resistance to standard treatment. He received CAR-T therapy at MGM Cancer Institute. In his comments Dr. M.A Raja, Director and Senior Consultant, Medical Oncology, MGM Cancer Institute, said, “Precision oncology continues to create newer, biology-driven treatment pathways tailored to each individual. Even advanced-stage cancers need not mean the end of options. In our hospitals, the CAR-T program has been developed with a strong emphasis on customised care, patient safety, and financial responsibility. By using optimal insurance utilisation, and judicious avoidance of ICU admission wherever clinically appropriate, our team delivered this complex therapy in a cost-effective and sustainable manner, making it more accessible to patients.” In his comments, Dr. M. Gopinathan - Consultant, Hemato-Oncology (BMT), MGM Cancer Institute, said, “This technology works by rebooting the patient’s own immune system. T cells are collected from the patient’s blood through a specialised process and sent to an advanced laboratory, where they are carefully reprogrammed to recognise and attack cancer cells. After thorough quality checks, the modified cells are returned to the hospital and infused back into the patient to fight the disease. This form of cellular therapy represents a major advancement in modern blood cancer treatment.” He added that the transplant physician customises chemotherapy for each patient and ensures the primary disease is adequately controlled before the CAR-T cells are infused. This process requires a well-equipped apheresis centre, where blood is processed to collect only the required component while safely returning the rest to the body, along with an advanced GMP-certified laboratory and a dedicated intensive care unit to deliver seamless, end-to-end care. Robust logical support with adequate maintenance of temperature is needed when we do transfer of cells between laboratories. The research improvisations with CART production and delivery are constantly evolving over time, to reduce side effects, and in future, expanded access to their use in autoimmune disorders is just a footstep away. Dr. Suman Kalyan. N, Senior Consultant – Medical Oncology and Director, CAR-T Program, MGM Healthcare Malar, Adyar, said, “Every patient is different, and every cancer behaves differently. That is why precision oncology is the future of cancer care. With CAR-T and advanced molecular therapies, we can now personalise treatment even in complex and advanced cases.” Harvard-certified in Precision Oncology, Dr. Suman Kalyan. N has led the development of India’s first structured, cost-effective CAR-T protocols, comprising insurance-supported pathways, making advanced cellular therapy feasible for a broader population. “These protocols are designed not only for Indian patients, but also for international patients seeking high-quality, affordable cancer care - reinforcing Chennai’s long-standing reputation as the capital of global health tourism,” he added. The success of the programme reflects the strength of a fully integrated, in-house multidisciplinary team at MGM Healthcare hospitals, bringing together expertise from oncology, transfusion medicine, nursing, pharmacy and critical care services.