Recently, scientists successfully used CAR-T Cell Therapy for the first time to treat a patient suffering from three different life-threatening autoimmune diseases that had remained resistant to treatment for several years.
About CAR-T Cell Therapy
CAR-T Cell Therapy, or Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell Therapy, is an advanced form of immunotherapy used mainly for treating certain types of cancers, especially blood cancers.
In this therapy, a patient’s own immune cells are genetically modified in a laboratory so that they can better recognize and destroy harmful cells such as cancer cells.
The treatment is generally used for patients whose cancer has:
Relapsed after treatment, or
Failed to respond to standard or first-line therapies.
What are T Cells?
T cells, also known as T lymphocytes, are a type of white blood cell that plays a crucial role in the body’s immune system.
These cells help the body identify and attack harmful organisms and abnormal cells, including:
Germs
Viruses
Cancer cells
Because of their disease-fighting ability, T cells are used in CAR-T therapy to target and eliminate cancerous cells.
How CAR-T Cell Therapy Works
In CAR-T therapy, the patient’s T cells are first collected from the blood through a filtration process.
Inside the laboratory, these T cells are genetically modified to produce special synthetic proteins called Chimeric Antigen Receptors (CARs).
The modified immune cells are known as CAR-T cells.
These CAR-T cells are then multiplied in large numbers in the laboratory and infused back into the patient’s bloodstream.
The synthetic CAR proteins enable the T cells to recognize specific proteins, known as antigens, present on cancer cells.
Once attached to the cancer cells, the CAR-T cells become activated and destroy the cancer cells.
The destruction of cancer cells further stimulates the immune system and strengthens the body’s anti-cancer response.
An important feature of CAR-T therapy is that these modified cells can continue multiplying inside the body, producing long-lasting therapeutic effects.
Diseases Treated Using CAR-T Cell Therapy
CAR-T cell therapy is mainly used to treat cancers affecting blood cells and the immune system.
These include:
B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)
Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma
Follicular Lymphoma
High-grade B-cell Lymphoma
Importance of CAR-T Cell Therapy
CAR-T therapy represents a major advancement in personalized medicine and cancer treatment because it uses the patient’s own immune system to fight disease.
Its major advantages include:
Targeted destruction of cancer cells
Long-lasting immune response
Better outcomes in treatment-resistant cancers
Reduced dependence on conventional chemotherapy in some cases
Recent research also suggests that CAR-T therapy may become useful in treating severe autoimmune diseases in the future.
We provide offline, online and recorded lectures in the same amount.
Every aspirant is unique and the mentoring is customised according to the strengths and weaknesses of the aspirant.
In every Lecture. Director Sir will provide conceptual understanding with around 800 Mindmaps.
We provide you the best and Comprehensive content which comes directly or indirectly in UPSC Exam.
If you haven’t created your account yet, please Login HERE !
We provide offline, online and recorded lectures in the same amount.
Every aspirant is unique and the mentoring is customised according to the strengths and weaknesses of the aspirant.
In every Lecture. Director Sir will provide conceptual understanding with around 800 Mindmaps.
We provide you the best and Comprehensive content which comes directly or indirectly in UPSC Exam.
Offline/Online Class
