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CAR T-Cell Therapy shows long-term success in blood cancer

CAR T-Cell Therapy shows long-term success in blood cancer

BENGALURU: In a major milestone in Indian oncology care, Immuneel Therapeutics' Made-In-India CAR T-cell therapy claims it has delivered the country's first known long-term remission in patients with aggressive blood cancers.
Data from the IMAGINE Phase 2 clinical trial shows seven patients treated in 2022 for relapsed or refractory CD19-positive B-cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma have remained progression-free for over two years. This type of cancer is aggressive and often does not respond to standard treatment options.
The therapy, called Varnimcabtagene autoleucel (IMN-003A), recorded a response rate of 83 per cent at 90 days and 50 per cent at one year. A complete response was seen in 83 per cent of patients. Trial results showed no cases of severe neurotoxicity or the need for intensive care admission.
The trial was conducted at Narayana Health–Mazumdar Shaw Medical Centre in Bengaluru, Apollo Cancer Centre in Chennai, and the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research in Chandigarh. Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Board Director and Co-Founder, Immuneel Therapeutics, said, ' The fact that we now have long-term survivors treated with a Made-in-India CAR T therapy is a testament to the real, life-changing impact innovation can have on patients and their families. It reaffirms that innovation rooted in local context can deliver globally benchmarked outcomes.'
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Sukino Healthcare eyes upto  ₹250 crore VC boost from Bessemer, Jungle Ventures
Sukino Healthcare eyes upto  ₹250 crore VC boost from Bessemer, Jungle Ventures

Mint

time42 minutes ago

  • Mint

Sukino Healthcare eyes upto ₹250 crore VC boost from Bessemer, Jungle Ventures

MUMBAI : Sukino Healthcare is in talks to raise about ₹200–250 crore from venture capital firms including Bessemer Venture Partners and Jungle Ventures, according to three people familiar with the matter. 'The company has appointed Veda Corporate Advisors to help with the fundraise and the transaction is currently undergoing due diligence," the people said. 'The company has grown well in the last 2 years and has been able to prune costs effectively," one of the people cited above said, adding that the VC firms have issued term sheets. Sukino, Veda, Bessemer and Jungle did not respond to Mint's emails sent on Friday afternoon. This fresh round of funding comes more than two years after the Bengaluru-based healthcare startup raised ₹50 crore in its Series A round from Stakeboat Capital in 2023. At the time, the company earmarked the proceeds for expansion into new geographies and technology-led rehabilitation initiatives. Founded in 2015 by Shalini Menon and Rajinish Menon, the company provides home wound care, IV therapy, and other respiratory rehabilitation services. With a presence in Bengaluru, Kochi and Coimbatore, Sukino's other services include continuum care, neuro, cancer and stroke rehabilitation, hydrotherapy rehab, knee and hip replacement among others. The company's investors also include high-net-worth individuals such as Kris Gopalakrishnan, Mohandas Pai, Bhaskar Pramanik, Arihant Patni, Madusudhan Kela and Krishnan Iyer, according to its website. In FY24, Sukino reported revenue of ₹46 crore, up from ₹38.8 crore in FY23, while narrowing its losses to ₹9.5 crore from ₹15.6 crore a year earlier, per Tracxn data. Market intelligence firm Tracxn lists Athulya Senior Care, Geri Care, and Medwell Ventures as Sukino's competitors. Sector outlook The Indian physical rehab market stood at about $17.1 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 15.5% in the next 5 years to reach $35 billion by FY28, according to a Redseer report. Growth is expected to be driven by greater rehab adoption amid low awareness, limited provider availability, and capability constraints, said the report. Redseer also highlighted a major gap in geriatric care: over 40% of the elderly population requires rehab services such as caregiving or assisted living, yet only about 6% currently access such services.

New Study Links Excess Screen Time To Heart Risks In Children: How To Protect Your Child
New Study Links Excess Screen Time To Heart Risks In Children: How To Protect Your Child

NDTV

timean hour ago

  • NDTV

New Study Links Excess Screen Time To Heart Risks In Children: How To Protect Your Child

In today's digital era, children multitask between smartphones, online classes, gaming, and streaming, even during homework breaks or before bedtime. But what if this ever on screen exposure isn't just affecting their focus or mood, but their heart health too? A new study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association sounds this alarm: each extra hour of leisure screen time, be it scrolling social media, binge watching, or gaming, pushes up cardiometabolic risk in kids and teens. For Indian parents juggling school schedules, tuitions, and digital distractions, this study rings particularly relevant. It's not just an abstract Western problem-it's a global wake up call. So, let's dive deep into the research, break down the heart health ripple effects for Indian families, and walk you through practical, culturally attuned strategies to reduce screen time and support healthy sleep and routines. Read on to know how small tweaks today can safeguard our children's hearts for decades to come. Understanding The Study: What Was Discovered? Researchers used two Danish longitudinal cohorts totalling over 1,000 mother child or adolescent pairs (COPSAC2010 and COPSAC2000). Screen time was parent reported or self reported; sleep and physical activity were objectively measured using accelerometers over a two week span. Cardiometabolic risk (CMR) was computed using five markers-waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, HDL (good) cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood glucose. Key findings of the study: Each extra hour of screen time raised cardiometabolic risk by around 0.08 standard deviations in children (6-10 years) and roughly 0.13 in adolescents (18 years). Sleep played a crucial role because children with shorter or later sleep schedules showed significantly stronger risk ties. Sleep duration mediated around 12% of the screen time cardiometabolic risk link, highlighting that better sleep can buffer some harm. A distinct "screen time fingerprint" of 37 blood-based biomarkers (metabolomics signature) was identified, offering a biological signal connecting screen habits to metabolic changes. Adolescents also showed higher predicted 10 year adult cardiovascular disease risk based on that signature. The study is observational-not proving causality, but showing dose dependent associations and rich mechanistic insights. Why This Study Matters For Indian Parents And Kids Though the data are Danish, the findings resonate across geographies, including India. Screen time among Indian children has surged (especially thanks to the increase in online classes and smartphone usage since 2020), sleep is often compromised, and cardiometabolic issues like childhood obesity and insulin resistance are rising. Here are a few more links that can be clearly made between this study and global as well as Indian kids' habits. Sedentary habits are heart harmful: This and previous studies have shown sedentary screen time contributes to increased heart weight and structural changes, even when body weight and blood pressure remain normal. Sleep disruptions add to risk: Screens before bed, common in Indian households where family dinner time is also often spent in front of the television, delay sleep onset via blue light and overstimulation, worsening metabolic outcomes. Language and development: Excessive screens, especially in early years, undermine face to face interaction and cognitive development and academic readiness, all aggravating the broader picture. Practical, Friendly Tips To Reduce Screen Time And Boost Heart Health In Children If you, as a parent or guardian, want to reduce your children's screen time and simultaneously boost heart health, then here are a few easy, practical and yet, friendly ways to do so: Set daily screen time limits Keep children's leisure screen time under two hours per day, excluding school-related use. This helps in lowering their cumulative exposure. Another friendly trick? Allow screen time for specific shows or cartoon slots in your chosen language, so it doesn't spill over into hours of aimless scrolling. Create screen-free zones and times Identify parts of the day or areas in your home where screens are not allowed-such as the dining table, during prayers, meditation or exercise hours, or before bedtime. Establishing a "no phone during chai time" or "family lunch = no devices" routine can work wonders. Avoid screens at least one hour before bedtime This allows melatonin (the sleep hormone) to function properly, promoting deeper sleep. Instead of TV or mobile devices, switch to story time in your child's mother tongue, light reading, or calming music-habits that also support emotional bonding. Encourage outdoor or indoor active play Physical activity helps burn off sedentary time and improves heart function. For younger kids, make time for games like skipping rope. If outdoor space is a problem, even dancing to your family's favourite tunes at home helps. Be a role model and limit your own screen time Children mimic what they see. If you're constantly on your phone, they'll assume it's normal. So, during family time, put your phone away. Instead, cook together, play a board game, or go for a short family walk. Lead by example. Promote hands-on hobbies and quiet time Offer your child alternatives to screen-based entertainment. Encourage art, building blocks, puzzles, colouring, local crafts, or DIY activities like drawing a comic strip or writing their own short story. This not only limits screen time but boosts creativity. Use parental controls smartly Many phones and tablets come with built-in parental controls. Set daily screen limits or schedule "downtime" on devices. Prioritize good sleep hygiene Since sleep plays a big role in offsetting the harms of screen time, ensure your child goes to bed and wakes up at regular times, even on weekends. Keep bedrooms screen-free and create a calming bedtime routine like a warm bath or simple prayers. Communicate openly-not just rules, but reasons Instead of commanding "no phone!", explain why. Use simple language: "Our hearts grow stronger when we play, move, sleep well, and don't stare at screens too much." The more kids understand the why, the more they'll cooperate with the how. A Note on Holistic Heart Health Beyond screens, combine healthy meals (local fruits, dals, millets), regular movement, and stress free routines like family walks or storytelling time. As highlighted before, earlier onset of metabolic disease calls for integrated approaches and screen limits are an entry point to broader heart healthy lifestyles. This study offers an early warning, but also hope. By trimming screen time and nurturing sleep and active routines, parents can safeguard their kids' hearts both now and for the long haul. Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for a qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.

Why pineapple is the anti-inflammatory superfood we all need
Why pineapple is the anti-inflammatory superfood we all need

Indian Express

timean hour ago

  • Indian Express

Why pineapple is the anti-inflammatory superfood we all need

Written by Simrat Kathuria Pineapple is much more than a tasty treat with its golden flesh and tropical scent. This fruit has significant nutrition value, primarily due to the vitamins, minerals and bioactive substances it contains. But it is that superfruit which can effectively address heart disease, diabetes, liver health and obesity, all of which Indians are more vulnerable to. However, we have to eat it mindfully. Good for heart health Pineapple is higher in bromelain, an enzyme that offers both anticoagulant and anti-inflammatory benefits. Research indicates that the bromelain in pineapple may assist with the reduction of clotting leading to improved blood flow and lower risk of a cardiovascular event like a heart attack or stroke. In addition to bromelain, pineapple has high levels of vitamin C, which supports the health of arterial walls, and potassium to regulate blood pressure, which is particularly important in India, where one in three adults may have hypertension. Can diabetics have it? While pineapple does contain sugar, it can still fit inside a diabetic approach to eating — if you have some moderation. Although it has a moderate glycemic index (GI around 59), fresh pineapple (keep in mind, eating it fresh) will not drastically raise blood sugars when eaten in small amounts. Pineapple also has the added benefit of high fibre (and water) content, which abates the absorption of the sugar component of the fruit. Canned pineapple or juice, which has added ingredients and high sugar levels should be avoided. Diabetics might consider approximately ½ cup (50–75 grams) of fresh pineapple (likely with a protein or healthy fat) for sweet treats, maintaining blood sugar and glucose levels. With Indian diets often containing processed oils and heavier spices, liver overload is becoming a significant public health issue. Since pineapple is high in antioxidants like vitamin C, manganese and flavonoids, it can act against oxidative stress, the main contributor to liver damage. Bromelain supports digestion, helping decrease inflammation, possibly lessening the burden on the liver for detoxification. In a controlled but frequent consumer, it can be supportive in normalizing liver function and protection against fatty liver disease. Pineapple is relatively low in calories (42 kcal per 100g) and fat-free, which can be draining for those wanting a tasty snack when managing weight loss targets. Its natural sweetness is great for taming sugar cravings and natural hydration while its fibre load contributes to the feeling of satiety. Bromelain can help break down proteins so that they can be easily absorbed by the body. Pineapple can be a good strategy to include in your mid-morning or afternoon snack breaks. Aim for around one cup (150 grams) per day, provided you are enjoying it as part of a balanced diet and keeping to your daily calorie allowance. (Kathuria is a clinical dietician and celebrity coach)

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