AIIMS Sets New Standard in Cancer Treatment with Affordable Antibody-Based Therapy

New Delhi(The Uttam Hindu): AIIMS Delhi has made a significant advancement in cancer treatment with the development of an antibody-based therapy for recurrent Multiple Myeloma (MM), a challenging form of cancer. The breakthrough, led by the Department of Medical Oncology at the Dr BR Ambedkar Institute Rotary Cancer Hospital (BRAIRCH), aims to make therapies like CAR-T cell treatment more accessible and affordable in India.

Multiple Myeloma often recurs even after treatment, and CAR-T cell therapy has emerged as a revolutionary option. This involves genetically modifying a patient’s T-cells to target and destroy cancer cells. However, the therapy's high cost, exceeding Rs 1 crore, has made it unaffordable for many patients in India.

To address this issue, AIIMS has developed an indigenous therapy that uses an antibody targeting B Cell Maturation Antigen (BCMA), a critical marker for MM. This pioneering research, led by Dr. Mayank Singh and his team, has resulted in the successful patenting of the antibody in India. Dr. Singh shared, “Our CAR-T cell therapy, using the BCMA antibody, offers a promising solution for relapsed MM patients. After two and a half years of rigorous research, we are now ready to begin clinical trials.”

The project has been funded by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), with preparations for human trials already underway. The initial phase will involve 10 patients, with larger trials to follow. AIIMS hopes to significantly reduce the cost of the treatment, aiming to lower it from Rs 1 crore abroad to around Rs 20 lakh in India after successful trials. This innovative approach to immunotherapy promises to target cancer cells more effectively while minimizing side effects, offering a more accessible treatment option for patients.