Breakthrough in CAR T-Cell Therapy | 10 Feb 2026

Source: IE 

Why in News?  

A new study by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay, published in Biomaterials Science, has demonstrated a gentler method for recovering lab-grown T-cells.  

• This development in cancer immunotherapy, particularly CAR T-cell therapy, could potentially make advanced cancer care more reliable and affordable in India. 

What are T-cells and CAR T-cell Therapy? 

• T-Cells: These are a type of white blood cell that act as the body’s frontline soldiers. They patrol the bloodstream to detect infections or abnormal cells like cancer.  
  • Upon detection, they either destroy the threat directly or signal other immune cells to assist. 
• CAR T-cell Therapy: This is a cutting-edge treatment where T-cells are collected from a patient and genetically engineered in a lab. 
  • Scientists add a gene to equip these cells with Chimeric Antigen Receptors (CARs). 
  • These receptors act like trackers, guiding the T-cells to recognize and destroy specific cancer cells. 
  • It is currently approved for certain blood cancers like leukemia and lymphoma. 
• NexCAR19: In 2023, NexCAR19 became India’s first approved indigenous CAR-T cell therapy, developed through a collaboration between IIT Bombay, Tata Memorial Centre, and ImmunoACT (a company incubated at IIT Bombay).  
  • As the world's most affordable CAR-T therapy, it positions India on the global map for advanced cell and gene therapy. 

What are the Key Findings of IIT Bombay Study on CAR T-cell Therapy?  

• Cell Recovery: Growing T-cells in 3D scaffolds (which mimic the human body) is effective for cell growth but makes retrieval difficult.  
  • T-cells grip the fibrous scaffolds tightly, and harsh recovery methods (using trypsin) damage them. 
  • Traditional extraction methods use harsh enzymes (like Trypsin or TrypLE) which strip the cells of vital proteins, rendering them less effective or killing them. 
• Efficient Recovery: IIT Bombay team found that using a commercially available enzyme called Accutase (instead of Trypsin) allows for the gentle detachment of cells. 
  • Accutase effectively releases the cells from the 3D scaffold without harming their outer membrane. 
  • Accutase-recovered cells showed higher survival, preserved immune function, and formed healthy clusters, indicating better readiness for cancer therapy. 

Significance 

• Current CAR T-cell therapies can cost Rs 3-4 crore globally. By reducing the waste of expensive lab-grown cells and improving efficiency, this method helps Indian initiatives (like ImmunoACT) bring the cost down to a fraction of the global price. 
  • A more consistent supply of healthy T-cells means the therapy is more likely to succeed when infused back into the patient. 
• This highlights India's growing capability in biomedical engineering, moving from generic drug manufacturing to novel process innovation in complex therapies.