Context:
India’s Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has granted approval for the nation’s 1st Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy to address blood cancer.
- It is funded under National Biopharma Mission (NBM) by Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC).
BIRAC is a Public Sector Enterprise, set up by Department of Biotechnology (DBT) as an Interface Agency to strengthen emerging Biotech enterprise.
About therapy:
- NexCAR19 (Actalycabtagene autoleucel) Therapy – 1st humanized CD19-targeted CAR-T cell therapy.
- It is intended for patients with CD19 biomarker in B cells.
- CD19Biomarker – A protein used to diagnose cancers stemming from B cells, such as acute and chronic lymphoblastic leukaemia (blood cancer).
- Developed by – Immunoadoptive Cell Therapy (ImmunoACT), an IIT Bombay incubated company
About CAR T cell therapy:
- It uses T cells that are genetically altered in a lab to enable them in locating in destroying cancer cells more effectively.
- Creating CAR-T Cells –
- Extraction of T Cells: T cells are extracted from the patient’s blood.
- Genetic Modification: A man-made receptor known as CAR (Chimeric Antigen Receptor) is created in the laboratory. This CAR is designed to bind to specific proteins on cancer cells.
- CAR Integration: The CAR is integrated into the patient’s T cells, enhancing their ability to target particular cancer cell antigens.
- Administering CAR-T Cell Therapy –
- Formation of CAR-T Cells: The modified T cells, now referred to as CAR-T cells, are generated.
- Patient Infusion: The CAR-T cells are then administered back to the patient as part of the therapy.
Click here to read about T and B cells
Significance of CAR-T Cell Therapy:
- Short treatment time needed and more rapid recovery.
- Prolonged durability, since T cells can persist in body for long-term, they may recognize and attack cancer cells.
- Unlike chemotherapy, CAR-T is administered only once to a patient.
About CDSCO:
- Central Drug Authority for discharging functions assigned to Central Government under Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.
- Ministry – Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
- Major functions: Regulatory control over import of drugs, approval of new drugs and clinical trials etc.
Source: The Hindu
Previous Year Question
Which one of the following statements best describes the role of B cells and T cells in the human body?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2022 Prelims]
(a) They protect the environmental allergens. Body
(b) They alleviate the body’s pain and inflammation.
(c) They act as immunosuppressants in the body.
(d) They protect the body from the diseases caused by pathogens.
Answer: (d)
