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CAR-T Cell Therapy India: A New Hope in Gujarat Hospital

Newz Daddy Health Care Updates

Marengo CIMS Hospital proudly announces a significant breakthrough in advanced cancer treatment with the successful administration of its first CAR-T (Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell) therapy. This therapy was performed on a patient suffering from relapsed B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL), marking a pivotal moment in the hospital’s commitment to providing cutting-edge oncology care.

CAR-T cell therapy has emerged globally as one of the most advanced treatments for certain blood cancers, especially for patients whose disease has relapsed or not responded to other treatments. In India, this kind of therapy is increasingly being approved and used.

CAR-T therapy represents one of the most advanced and revolutionary treatments for certain blood cancers. It involves genetically modifying a patient’s own T-cells to target and destroy cancer cells effectively. Traditionally, this therapy has been associated with extremely high costs, making it inaccessible to most patients. However, Marengo CIMS Hospital has made this life-saving treatment more affordable, bringing hope to many patients in Gujarat and beyond.

According to recent data, the cost of CAR-T cell therapy in India tends to range between roughly ₹25 lakh to ₹50 lakh, depending on the hospital and the specific case. Also, Indian-developed CAR-T therapies are achieving outcomes comparable to global standards, helping reduce costs and increase accessibility.

The therapy was successfully carried out under the leadership of Dr Kaumil Patel, Consultant Haematologist, Hemato-Oncologist, and BMT Physician, with the crucial support of Dr Bhavesh Parekh, Head of Medical Oncology, and their dedicated teams. This collaborative effort highlights Marengo CIMS Hospital’s multidisciplinary approach to complex cancer care.

Multidisciplinary teams are a hallmark of modern oncology care, combining haematology, oncology, bone marrow transplant, cellular therapy, nursing, and support services. This integrated framework improves outcomes, especially for high-end treatments like CAR-T therapy.

“Performing the first CAR-T infusion at Marengo CIMS Hospital is not just a medical achievement; it is a step forward in making world-class cancer therapy accessible to patients who need it the most,” said Dr Kaumil Patel, the treating physician. “Our team’s goal is to combine expertise, innovation, and compassion to give patients the best possible chance for recovery.”

There is a strong push in India’s health sector to bring advanced treatments like CAR-T into accessible settings rather than only in high-cost overseas centres. For example, India’s drug regulator (the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation) has approved indigenous CAR-T therapies.

The patient, who had relapsed after conventional treatments, responded well to CAR-T therapy and is under close monitoring by the hospital’s oncology and haematology teams. CAR-T therapy works by reprogramming the patient’s immune system to recognise and destroy cancer cells, often providing results in cases where other therapies have failed.

Studies from India report that response rates of certain CAR-T therapies in blood cancers (like relapsed/refractory B-cell malignancies) have been in the 70-80% range. The fact that the patient is being closely monitored is critical because CAR-T therapy can have significant side effects (such as cytokine release syndrome) and needs expert post-treatment care.

Dr R. Shankaran, Unit Medical Director, emphasised the transformative potential of this therapy: “CAR-T therapy is a game-changer in the field of hematologic cancers. It allows us to offer a personalised and highly effective treatment option that was previously out of reach for most patients due to cost and availability.”

The personalised nature of CAR-T therapy (modifying a patient’s own T-cells) marks a shift from “one-size-fits-all” chemotherapy to tailor-made treatments. Globally, this has changed the landscape, especially for blood cancers that fail standard therapy.

Dr Keyur Parikh, Interventional Cardiologist and Chairman of Marengo CIMS Hospital, stated, “At Marengo CIMS, we believe true healthcare excellence lies in bridging the gap between innovation and accessibility. The successful implementation of CAR-T therapy is not just a medical triumph but a promise — that world-class, life-saving treatments can and should be available to every patient, right here in India. This milestone reinforces our vision of placing India at the forefront of advanced and affordable healthcare.”

One of the major barriers in India has been cost and infrastructure. The fact that a hospital in Gujarat is offering this therapy locally helps reduce travel burden and financial stress on families. Access to advanced therapies locally makes a real difference to patients from smaller cities or states.

Dr Raajiv Singhal, Founding Member, Managing Director & Group CEO, Marengo Asia Hospitals, “At Marengo Asia Hospitals, our commitment is clear—to deliver clinical excellence backed by advanced technology, expert teams, and a strong patient-first philosophy. The successful administration of CAR-T therapy is a reflection of our ability to bring global-standard treatments within reach of patients in India. We are not just treating disease; we are creating access to the most sophisticated therapies through world-class infrastructure, specialised talent, and outcome-driven care pathways. As we expand our capabilities, our objective remains consistent—to set new benchmarks in oncology and across specialities, strengthen trust in our healthcare delivery model, and ensure every patient receives precision-led, compassionate and reliable care.”

Many hospitals now emphasise outcome-driven care pathways, digital infrastructure, and patient-centric services for complex therapies like CAR-T. This includes supportive care, follow-up monitoring, and long-term survivorship care.

Marengo CIMS Hospital is now among the few centres in Gujarat offering CAR-T therapy, positioning it at the forefront of cancer treatment in India. The hospital plans to expand its CAR-T program to include additional blood cancers and continue improving patient access to this advanced therapy.

Broadening indications (such as other blood cancers beyond B-cell ALL and lymphomas) is a trend in CAR-T therapy globally and in India, as more clinical data become available. The fact that the hospital plans to expand reflects this global movement.

This achievement underscores Marengo CIMS Hospital’s dedication to medical innovation, multidisciplinary collaboration, and patient-centric care. With CAR-T therapy now available locally, patients no longer have to travel abroad for this cutting-edge treatment, significantly reducing the financial and emotional burden on families.

A major benefit of local access is that patients can remain close to home, have family support, and avoid overseas medical travel costs (which in some cases can run into several crores of rupees). The cost advantage is very real in India.