AIIMS Delhi Developing Affordable CAR-T Therapy for Multiple Myeloma Treatment

Multiple myeloma, a cancer of plasma cells, often presents challenges due to relapses and the limited affordability of treatments like CAR-T cell therapy.

Doctors at AIIMS Delhi are developing a cost-effective antibody-based CAR-T cell therapy to treat multiple myeloma, potentially making advanced cancer treatments affordable for Indian patients.

Multiple myeloma, a cancer of plasma cells, often presents challenges due to relapses and the limited affordability of treatments like CAR-T cell therapy.

"We are focused on significantly reducing the cost of this therapy to make it accessible to more patients in India," said Dr Mayank Singh, Additional Professor, Department of Medical Oncology, at Dr BR Ambedkar Institute Rotary Cancer Hospital (BRAIRCH), AIIMS.

CAR-T cell therapy involves isolating a patient’s T-cells, genetically modifying them to target cancer cells, and re-infusing them into the body. AIIMS' therapy targets B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA), a specific protein associated with multiple myeloma cells.

"The therapy developed by AIIMS researchers recognizes BCMA on multiple myeloma cells, aiming to eliminate them effectively," Singh explained.

Promising Results from Preclinical Trials

Reportedly, the therapy has shown encouraging outcomes in animal models, and researchers are planning phase-1 clinical trials in humans to evaluate its safety and efficacy.

"Our aim is to collect substantial evidence regarding its clinical potential," Singh noted.

Despite the emergence of CAR-T therapies globally, their high cost remains a significant barrier, especially in countries like India.

"Immunotherapies, including CAR-T cell therapies, have ushered a new era in cancer treatment but remain largely out of reach for most of our population," he said.

The AIIMS research group has already filed for an Indian patent for their antibody and is in the process of filing a patent for the CAR-T cell therapy.

Burden of Cancer in India

According to the National Cancer Registry, India reported an estimated 14,61,427 cancer cases in 2022.

"One in nine people in India is likely to develop cancer during their lifetime," Singh said, emphasizing the urgent need for accessible and advanced therapies.

Multiple myeloma explicitly affects plasma cells, which are vital for antibody production. When these cells become cancerous, they multiply rapidly, crowding out healthy cells in the bone marrow. Traditional treatments such as chemotherapy often have severe side effects, highlighting the need for targeted therapies.

"Targeted approaches like antibody-based therapies or CAR-T cell therapy help reduce side effects and improve effectiveness, but cancer cells frequently develop resistance, leading to relapse," Singh explained.

Delayed diagnoses and limited access to advanced treatments compound India’s cancer care burden. "Our work at AIIMS focuses on bridging this gap by providing cost-effective solutions without compromising on clinical outcomes," Singh said.