The Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital and Research Centre (HBCH&RC), New Chandigarh, Punjab, has achieved a landmark milestone in pediatric oncology by successfully treating a 15-year-old leukemia patient with advanced Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy.
CAR-T (Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell) therapy is a personalised cancer immunotherapy in which a patient’s own immune cells are collected and modified in specialised laboratories to recognise and attack cancer cells. These enhanced cells are multiplied and infused back into the body, where they help the immune system target and destroy remaining cancer cells.
The patient, a 15-year-old boy from Haryana, was diagnosed with Very Early Relapsed B-Cell Precursor Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (BCP-ALL). He had experienced an early relapse of cancer in the bone marrow within months of beginning chemotherapy.
“The journey from collecting a patient’s cells to successfully delivering the therapy involves close coordination and precision at every step. Seeing our young patient return home healthy and hopeful is deeply rewarding for our entire team,” said pediatric oncology consultant Dr Jasmeet Sidhu and Head of Department of Medical Oncology, Dr Seema Gulia.
“Following infusion of CAR-T cells, the patient was closely monitored in our dedicated Bone Marrow Transplant unit and received intensive care during every phase of treatment. The patient has now been discharged home in good health with excellent treatment outcome. This achievement marks a new chapter in cancer care in the region and reflects our commitment to bringing the latest treatment technologies to patients closer to their homes”, said Director Dr Ashish Gulia.
