Latest news with #ChimericAntigenReceptorT-cell
Time of India
16-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
'Brain fog' after CAR-T? Stanford report links cancer therapy to troubling brain side effects
A groundbreaking cancer treatment , known as CAR-T cell therapy, which has been celebrated for its transformative impact on how we treat aggressive cancers, is now coming under critical examination. Recent research from Stanford University indicates that this innovative immunotherapy might be associated with subtle yet troubling cognitive complications, specifically a phenomenon often referred to as ' brain fog .' Brain fog encompasses a range of symptoms, including forgetfulness, confusion, and difficulty maintaining focus, all of which can significantly impact a patient's quality of life. The double-edged sword: CAR-T therapy CAR-T cell therapy, or Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell therapy, has revolutionized cancer care by empowering a patient's immune system to target and eliminate cancer cells. This treatment has brought renewed hope to individuals suffering from aggressive forms of blood cancers and even some solid tumors. However, emerging evidence suggests that the benefits of this therapy may come at a neurological price. The study, spearheaded by Stanford researchers, revealed that even without chemotherapy or direct brain cancer involvement, CAR-T therapy can lead to mild cognitive impairment in some patients. Unraveling the mechanisms of brain fog The findings, published in the prestigious journal 'Cell', focused on experiments involving mice that had tumors localized in various sites: some in the brain, others that had metastasized to the brain, and some confined to other areas like bone or skin. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với mức chênh lệch giá thấp nhất IC Markets Đăng ký Undo The researchers conducted a series of cognitive tests before and after the mice underwent CAR-T treatment. Remarkably, cognitive impairment was observed across almost all groups, with the sole exception being the mice with bone cancer, which provoked a minimal immune response outside of the targeted cancer-fighting effects. What is brain fog? Brain fog is a term used to describe a range of cognitive symptoms that make it difficult to think clearly, focus, and concentrate. It's often characterized by a feeling of mental sluggishness, confusion, and difficulty recalling information or finding the right words. While not a medical condition itself, brain fog can be a symptom of various underlying causes, including stress, lack of sleep, certain illnesses, or medications. Dr. Michelle Monje, the study's lead investigator and a pediatric neuro-oncologist at Stanford Medicine, articulated the duality of CAR-T therapy's effects: 'While CAR-T cell therapy holds enormous promise, resulting in long-term survival for patients with aggressive cancers who would otherwise face a dire outcome, it is crucial that we critically assess all potential long-term effects — including the newly uncovered cognitive impairments — to ensure survivors achieve the best possible quality of life. ' The role of microglia: the brain's immune sentinels Central to the development of brain fog following CAR-T therapy appears to be microglia, the specialized immune cells that inhabit the brain. The activation of these microglial cells during CAR-T treatment seems to be a key player in the onset of cognitive disturbances, paralleling pathways observed in patients recovering from chemotherapy or respiratory illnesses like COVID-19 and influenza. The independent emergence of cognitive symptoms without the involvement of traditional chemotherapy or other common cancer treatments suggests that CAR-T therapy alone may be capable of inducing these side effects. A ray of hope for recovery Despite the implications of these findings, there remains optimism in the research community. The study also pinpointed potential therapeutic avenues aimed at reversing the cognitive impairments linked to CAR-T therapy. By targeting the inflammatory pathways associated with microglial activation, researchers hope to develop new pharmacological interventions that could mitigate or even prevent brain fog in patients recovering from cancer. As noted by the researchers, 'Innovative therapies that facilitate mental recovery post-immunotherapy could substantially enhance the overall quality of life for survivors.' The bottom line: As CAR-T cell therapy gains traction and becomes an integral part of the oncology landscape, these revelations emphasize the necessity of monitoring not just the survival rates but also the long-term cognitive well-being of patients undergoing this treatment. While CAR-T therapy remains a monumental achievement in cancer care, it introduces new dimensions that healthcare providers and researchers must address — ensuring that patients do not merely survive longer, but also thrive in their post-treatment lives. Sonali Bendre opens up about dealing with after-effects of cancer therapy: I experienced brain fog and couldn't remember things as much in my personal life One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
The Hindu
15-05-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Kauvery Hospital gets advanced immunotherapy for hard-to-treat blood cancers
Kauvery Hospital, Alwarpet, has introduced Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy for cancer treatment. CAR-T therapy is primarily used to treat conditions such as acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, especially in those who have not responded to standard treatments. The advanced immunotherapy for specific types of blood cancer is available at only a few centres in India. At a press conference on Thursday, doctors said CAR-T therapy involved modifying a patient's own immune cells (T-cells) to better recognise and attack cancer cells. Once reengineered in a lab, the cells are infused back into the patient, where they target and destroy cancer cells, offering a more personalised and targeted treatment option. According to the Indian Council of Medical Research, India sees over 1.4 million new cancer cases annually, with blood cancers forming a significant proportion. CAR-T therapy is emerging as a vital option when chemotherapy and bone marrow transplants fail. Anitha Ramesh, consultant, medical oncologist at the hospital, said CAR-T therapy would have to be done only for patients for whom chemotherapy had not worked. The patient's blood will be collected and sent to ImmunoACT, a biomedical research facility in Mumbai, where the T-cells will be genetically engineered. After 19 days, the modified cells will be returned and infused back into the patient, she said. Hasmukh Jain, professor, medical oncologist, Tata Memorial Centre; Shirish Arya, CEO, ImmunoACT; A. N. Vaidhyswaran, director of radiation oncology, Kauvery Hospital, Alwarpet, Suresh Kumar, consultant, medical oncologist; and Arshad Raja, consultant oncologist, were present.
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
US-Based Caring Cross and Burjeel Holdings Partner to Bring Revolutionary CAR-T Therapy to MENA Through Local Manufacturing
Point-of-Care Production Spearheaded by Burjeel Holdings and Caring Cross Promises Affordable, Accessible CAR-T Therapies for Patients in the MENA and Beyond ABU DHABI, UAE and GAITHERSBURG, Md., April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In a major step toward democratizing access to advanced healthcare, Burjeel Holdings, a leading super-specialty healthcare provider in the MENA region, and Caring Cross, a U.S.-based non-profit dedicated to accelerating the development and delivery of advanced medicines, have announced a landmark partnership. This collaboration will enable the local manufacturing of CAR-T (Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell) and stem cell gene therapies in the region. By significantly reducing costs and enhancing regional availability, the partnership aims to make lifesaving, next-generation treatments accessible to patients in the region who previously had limited access to such cutting-edge care. CAR-T therapies represent a major advancement in the treatment of certain blood cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma. By reprogramming a patient's immune cells to target and destroy malignant cells, these therapies offer new hope to patients for whom traditional treatments have failed. However, global access remains limited due to the high costs of treatment—often ranging from US$350,000 to over $1 million in the US and Europe. The partnership seeks to dismantle this barrier by enabling the production of CAR-T therapies at a fraction of the current price, making these treatments accessible to a vastly broader patient population in MENA and beyond. Through this partnership, Burjeel Holdings aims to overcome this challenge by producing CAR-T therapies locally. A cornerstone of this collaboration is the projected 90% reduction in treatment costs compared to prices in the US and Europe. Caring Cross will support Burjeel Holdings with the necessary technology, materials, and specialized training to establish a local ecosystem for manufacturing CAR-T therapies, as well as providing lentiviral vectors essential for clinical development. Enhancing Access to Life-Saving Cancer Care The collaboration will position Burjeel Holdings as a regional hub for advanced cell and gene therapies. By enabling local, point-of-care production of patient-specific therapies, the initiative will expand the reach of these therapies to underserved populations across the MENA region. The first phase of the program will focus on CAR-T therapies for leukemia and lymphoma, with plans to explore treatments for other diseases, including HIV, in the future. "We are honored to partner with Caring Cross, whose expertise in CAR-T cell therapy production technology will enable us to provide affordable, life-saving treatments to our communities and beyond. This partnership is a pivotal step in our commitment to advancing medical innovation and expanding access to critical healthcare services," said John Sunil, Group CEO of Burjeel Holdings. "We are excited to partner with Burjeel Holdings to improve access to CAR-T cell and other ATMPs for patients across their hospital networks in the MENA region," said Boro Dropulić, Executive Director of Caring Cross. "This collaboration advances our mission to make these groundbreaking treatments accessible and affordable around the world. By combining our innovative technologies with Burjeel Holdings hospital network and infrastructure, we intend to significantly improve patient access with a sustainable and cost-effective model." Building Local Capabilities and Expanding Impact This initiative reflects Burjeel Holdings' broader mission to expand access to high-quality healthcare in regions that need it most. The partnership will focus on training and developing local healthcare providers, ensuring the sustainable and scalable delivery of CAR-T therapies across MENA, India, and globally. "Our collaboration is operating at the cutting edge of medical innovation, opening doors to biological therapies not just in MENA, but also in emerging markets like India and other parts of Asia. This is a monumental stride in enhancing access to cancer treatments and addressing the escalating need for advanced healthcare globally," said Dr. Ajlan Al Zaki, Director of the Hematology Oncology & Cellular Therapy Center at Burjeel Hospital Abu Dhabi. This partnership reinforces Burjeel Holdings' commitment to transforming the healthcare landscape in MENA and beyond, offering hope and tangible solutions to millions of patients who previously lacked access to life-saving treatments. For further inquiries, please contact: Caring Cross Contacts: Daniel LaenderDirector of CommunicationsCaring (240) 447-3692 Kathy FowlerOn The Marc Mediakathleen@ (410) 963-2345 Burjeel Holdings Contact: M. UnnikrishnanCorporate Communications Officerkrish@ +971 50 427 5895 About Caring Cross: Caring Cross is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to accelerating the development of advanced medicines and ensuring global access to cures. To achieve its mission, Caring Cross develops technologies and therapeutic candidates that improve the accessibility, affordability, and applicability of advanced medicines like CAR-T therapy and stem cell gene therapy. Vectors used for Caring Cross ATMPs are manufactured by Vector BioMed, a for-profit vector contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO), specializing in rapid lentiviral vector manufacturing solutions, to provide the industry with affordable, high-quality GMP lentiviral vectors. For more information on Caring Cross, visit For more information on Vector BioMed, visit About Burjeel Holdings: Founded in 2007, Burjeel Holdings is a leading super-specialty healthcare services provider in the UAE and Oman, and it operates a growing specialized healthcare segment in Saudi Arabia. The Group operates an integrated and multi-brand healthcare ecosystem across primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary medical care, ensuring complex care delivery to patients across all socioeconomic groups. Its network comprises 100 assets across the UAE, Oman, and Saudi Arabia, including 19 hospitals, 29 medical centers, 29 physiotherapy and wellness centers, 15 pharmacies, and other allied services. Burjeel Holdings' brands include Burjeel, Medeor, LLH, Lifecare, PhysioTherabia and Tajmeel. For more information on Burjeel Holdings, visit View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Caring Cross Sign in to access your portfolio
