CAR T-Cell Therapy for Cancer in India: Cost, Hospital & Approved Oncology Program

Understanding Terms

T- Cells - Lymphocytes

Lymphocytes - A type of White Blood cell in the body that fights infection

Heametological Malignancies - Blood Cancer

CAR or Chimeric Antigen Receptor - A type of gene processed in a lab and added to human T-cells in order to fight cancer

Antigen - Protein in the body that acts like a red flag and alerts the body of a foreign presence to fight

Remission - Reduced symptoms of cancer after treatment

Regulatory Bodies Worldwide That Approve CAR T-Cell Therapy

Below are the highest authorities that approve medication and consumables in a country.

All these bodies are counterparts to each other, ensuring public health safety.

Country	Regulatory Body
United States	FDA - Food and Drug Administration
India	CDSCO - Central Drugs Standard Control Organization
United Kingdom	NICE - The National Institute of Health and Care Excellence
China	NMPA - National Medical Products Administration
Germany (Part of the EU)	EMA - European Medicines Agency

What Is the Cost of CAR T-Cell Therapy for Cancer in India

The cost of CAR T-cell therapy for cancer in India ranges between US$50,000 - US$85,000.

Here is a cost comparison between India and other countries where CAR T-cell therapy for cancer is approved.

Cost Comparison

Country	Cost in USD
India	$50,000 - $85,000
US	$450,000[1]
China	$119,000 - $140,000 [2]
UK	$350,000 [3]
Germany	$320,000 [4]
UAE	$200,000
Israel	$120,000

*Cost is subject to change as per the case

India can be seen as the most affordable country, where approved CAR T-Cell therapy is available, with up to 90% savings for overseas patients.

Cost Package for International Patients in India

The cost package in India for international patients is around USD$50,000 - $85,000.

Know the timelines and details of cost package here:

Detailed Timeline

Part of treatment	Duration of Stay	Location of Stay	Cost Included or Excluded
Pre-treatment Investigations	3-4 days	Hotel	Excluded
Main Treatment	28 days	Hospital	Included
Post-treatment Follow up	3- 4 months	Hotel	Excluded

*Timeline could vary as per the treatment plan

The follow-up happens 2 times a week for around 3-4 months.

During the follow-up stage, overseas patients can choose budget stays, like apartments, with the help of our advisors.

Typically, an apartment costs USD$700-1000 per month.

Patients who would like to stay in luxury hotels would need to spend around USD$4500-$6000.

Why Is CAR T-Cell Therapy for Cancer Expensive?

CAR T-cell therapy, a type of immunotherapy, is relatively new, and studies are underway. Sometimes, cells from the patient’s own immune system are harnessed and genetically modified to express a CAR.

Increasingly more common, however, is therapy utilizes cells from a healthy donor, from umbilical cord cells, or from other sources. This is called allogeneic, as cells from someone other than the indented recipient are genetically modified to express a CAR to fight the cancer.

Here are some of the reasons why the treatment is expensive as compared to the others.

• Complex processes like cell extraction, genetic modification, and multiplication in a lab.
• Customised treatment for each patient. But this is changing. In the future, such treatments may be “off-the-shelf.”
• Inpatient environment, adding to the hospitalisation charges. Upto $85,000^[5] in the US, as per research.
• Quality control and safety measures.
• Limited scalability of manufacturing processes.

Travel for CAR T-Cell Therapy in India To Treat Cancer

International patients have the hope to get quality treatment with almost 90% cost savings in India.

International Patient Journey

Our medical advisors ensure a seamless patient journey from start to finish.

Find below a snapshot of the international patient journey.

 

CAR T-cell treatment is customised as per the patient.

CAR genes created in a lab are unique.

Complex tests are conducted on each patient by specialists to check whether the treatment would work or not.

Some patients' bodies may not accept a particular CAR. Eligibility for the therapy varies from person to person.

Once the doctor in India decides that the patient is eligible, they are asked to come to India for another round of pre-investigations.

 

Overview: Global Perspective on CAR T-Cell Therapy

CAR T-cell therapy is a game changer in the field of oncology worldwide. The treatment uses the immune system components to fight cancer without hindering the patient’s own immune system.. Read more in the Procedure section.

FDA approved the first CAR T-cell therapy for cancer in 2017 in the US^[6]. Post this, other countries in Europe and China conducted trials and received approvals from their designated authorities.

In 2022, the countries mentioned below conducted ongoing clinical trials for CAR T-cell therapy.^[7]

Clinical Trials Globally

Country	Number of Trials
China	460
United States	286
UK	14
Germany	9
India	2

For years, India has been studying ways to produce CAR T-cell therapy at an affordable price.

Scientists from top Indian academic and medical institutes backed by the premier National Institutes of Health in the US finally developed indigenous CAR T-cell therapy in India. In 2023, CDSCO approved India's first CAR T-cell therapy after 2 successful clinical trials.^[8]

Why CAR T-Cell Therapy for Cancer in India?

The biggest challenge this new cancer treatment faces is the high cost.

India offers hope to foreigners who cannot afford the high prices yet require effective treatment.

After the 2020 pandemic, India emerged as the world leader in the manufacturing of medicines and vaccines.^[9] India made another breakthrough in healthcare by designing its very own CAR T-cell therapy.

Through local manufacturing, India started producing and using CAR T-cell therapy commercially, with up to 90% cost savings compared to the US. 

Comparison Between CAR T-Cell Therapy and Bone Marrow Transplant To Treat Blood Cancers

CAR T-cell therapy and bone marrow transplants are used to treat blood cancers. India offers top oncology programs for overseas patients for both treatments.

Let’s do a quick comparison of the two options.

Comparison Table

Parameters	CAR T-Cell Therapy	Bone Marrow Transplant
Cost	$50,000 - $85,000	$30,000 - $40,000
Duration of trip	3- 4 months	3- 4 months
Eligibility	Patients who have relapsed after chemotherapy or other treatments	Patients who have had partial remission from high doses of chemotherapy
Side-effects	Cytokine release syndrome. Weakened Immune system Nausea & fatigue Fever & joint pain Risk of infections	Graft vs. host disease. Nausea & fatigue Difficulty in blood clotting Infertility Risk of Infections Lung damage Bone damage Thyroid damage
Success rate	80%	81%
Outcomes	30- 100 days complete recovery	100 days complete recovery[11]
Difference	There is no requirement for external donors. The patient’s T-cells are used to fight cancer. The patient need not respond well to chemotherapy for CAR T-cell therapy.	Getting a perfect donor is a huge challenge in Autologous BMT Patients should respond positively to chemotherapy for autologous BMT.
Final Verdict	Studies have revealed that CAR T-cell therapy can prove to be better than more traditional forms of cancer treatment tactics, which include chemotherapy or even bone marrow transplant, although such treatments often are used in concert with immunotherapy. Despite higher costs, CAR T-cell therapy is proving to be highly effective in its early stages.  Chemotherapy can be reserved for later stages to finish off the remaining tumor burden. 50% of people who get into partial recovery translate into complete remission by day 100.[12]

Certain times, CAR T-cell therapy has been administered after an ineffective bone marrow transplant.

Ultimately, both treatment options can help treat blood cancers, depending on patient requirements.

To learn more about bone marrow transplants in detail, read our blog on Bone Marrow Transplant for leukaemia in India.

What Is the Success Rate of CAR T-Cell Therapy in India?

The success rate for CAR T-cell therapy in India is 80%, as per studies.^[13] Developments in oncology treatment are still ongoing. New research methodologies are trying to find ways to better this treatment.

Procedure: CAR T-Cell Therapy

CAR T-cell therapy is a type of Immunotherapy that is assured to change the way that cancer is treated and involves the use of genetic engineering and cell therapy.

CAR T-cell therapy usually comes into play if all other options do not work for a patient.

How Does CAR T-Cell Therapy Work?

CAR T-cell therapy modifies certain types of  T-cells to recognize and attack cancer cells with utmost precision. This is done by providing the cells a genetic sequence that encodes a CAR.

This transforms the T-cells into guided missiles that attach the particular cancer cells with exquisite precision. Minimizing the amount of chemotherapy needed can also help preserve that patient’s immune function, which will also fight against cancer.

How Does CAR T-Cell Therapy Treat Cancer?

CAR T-cell therapy takes place in 3 main steps:

What Type of Cancers Can CAR T-Cell Therapy Treat?

CAR T-cell therapy can treat different types of blood cancers, such as:^[15]

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia - ALL
ALL affects lymphocytes, which comprise a category type of white blood cell WBC.

Acute myeloid leukemia - AML
One of the most aggressive types of blood cancers, AML, affects myeloid cells. These abnormal myeloid cells multiply rapidly and prevent good cells from functioning.

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia- CLL
This is a condition in which lymphocytes grow out of control, but the growth is slower than ALL, which involves lymphoblasts, which are less mature than lymphocytes.

Multiple myeloma
Plasma cells in the body become cancerous. Neoplastic plasma cells multiply and prevent healthy cells from functioning.

Non-Hodgkin B-cell lymphoma
Affects the lymphatic system. Lymphocytes grow abnormally.

H3: Watch Experts in India Speak on the Latest CAR T-Cell Therapy

Discover the groundbreaking world of CAR T-cell therapy in India and watch as experts talk about this advanced treatment. Know how to access effective treatment at low costs and understand the procedure and timelines for international patients.

What Are the Benefits of CAR T-Cell Therapy?

• Precision: Modified T-cells attack the cancer cells with high precision and do not damage other healthy body parts.
• Faster recovery time: As the healthy cells are not damaged, the recovery time is faster than conventional cancer treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation.
• Longer remission period: After treatment, the chances of cancer coming back are lower in patients.

What Are the Side Effects of CAR T-Cell Therapy?

Cytokine release syndrome (CRS) is one of the complications of CAR T-cell therapy. When cytokine is released, it triggers the immune system to attack anything foreign in the body. CRS effects can include:

• High fever and trouble breathing
• Severe nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea
• Headaches
• Fatigue
• Body pain

Which is the Best Hospital for CAR T-Cell Therapy in India?

Who is the best specialist for CAR T-Cell Therapy in India?

Conclusion

Now that you know all about CAR T-cell therapy for cancer in India, what are you waiting for?

Get low-cost treatment at the best hospital today. With approved and certified technology at your fingertips, find quality oncology care with us.

Is CAR T-Cell Therapy for Cancer in India Safe?

Yes, CAR T-cell therapy for cancer in India is safe. As per studies last year, which led to approvals, India showcased no requirement for ICU admissions or development of neuro-toxicity in patients, like the counterpart studies in the West.^[16]

FAQ