Innovative ‘living drug’ treatment offers new hope to patients battling refractory B-cell lymphomas and acute B-cell lymphoblastic leukemia. The therapy could be useful for rheumatology and immunological diseases too, once approved by the government and health departments.
Navi Mumbai, 23 July 2025 — Apollo Hospitals Navi Mumbai (AHNM) has successfully treated patients with made-in-India CAR T-cell therapy, a ground-breaking immunotherapy that uses the patients’ own genetically modified immune cells to target and destroy cancer.
AHNM has seen remarkable success with the Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) procedures since inception with long term success rates which are comparable to the best centres worldwide, having successfully treated both adult and pediatric patients, including international cases. The recent CAR T-cell procedures was led by Dr Punit Jain – Consultant Hematology, Hemato Oncology & Program Co-ordinator BMT & CAR T-cell Therapy AHNM.
Mrs. Sharma aged 49 yrs from Odisha, was fighting a stubborn blood cancer called acute B-cell lymphoblastic leukemia. Her own immune cells (called T-cells) were extracted & re-engineered in the lab so that they express modified connectors on their surface called Chimeric Antigen Receptors (CARs) to better recognize and attack her cancer. Before receiving the infusion, she received a course of chemotherapy to help the modified cells work effectively post which CAR T-cell therapy was administered successfully. She steadily improved and was discharged after a few weeks. Mrs. Sharma reflected, “The therapy was intense, but the AHNM team’s expertise and support helped me complete my treatment. I’m optimistic about the future now.”
The 2nd patient, Mr. Das aged 57 yrs from Mumbai, was diagnosed with follicular lymphoma, a type of blood cancer that had relapsed after several treatments including chemotherapy and radiation. His own immune cells (called T-cells) were collected and modified similarly & the CAR T-cell therapy was administered. He was discharged a few weeks later. Reflecting on his journey, Mr Das said, “After many treatments and setbacks, CAR T-cell therapy gives me hope again. Although it is early, the support from the doctors keeps me motivated & I’m positive that I will recover well.”
Dr Punit Jain said, “CAR T-cell therapy is rewriting what is possible for patients with blood cancers who have relapsed on conventional treatment. This therapy offers a hope for a complete cure in patients with aggressive or treatment-resistant cancers. We have been successfully performing challenging high-risk bone marrow transplants & are confident of providing advanced, evidence-based treatments to our patients who undergo CAR T-cell procedures.”
Dr. Jain further said that the study has found 50-60% survival rate among the patients of B-Cell Leukemia and Lymphoma by CAR T-Cell.
Mr. Arunesh Punetha, Regional CEO – Western Region, Apollo Hospitals, said, “The successful CAR T-cell therapy program at Apollo is an example of our commitment to rewrite cancer care. We have successfully performed CAR T-cell procedures in several other Apollo group hospitals & this speaks volumes about our capability to deliver patient care of the highest standard. These procedures demand not only skilled clinicians & trained staff but also demands a dedicated unit with strict infection control protocols. We are committed to ensure that patients have access to the latest therapies.”
