CAR T-Cell Therapy in Chennai
CAR T-Cell Therapy at Iswarya Cancer Centre, Chennai
Cellular immunotherapy for blood cancers that have relapsed or not responded to standard treatment, assessed and coordinated by the medical oncology team at Iswarya Cancer Centre, OMR Kottivakkam.
CAR T-cell therapy in Chennai is available through Iswarya Cancer Centre at Iswarya Hospital, 110 Rajiv Gandhi Salai, OMR Kottivakkam. It is an immunotherapy for selected blood cancers, such as some leukaemias, lymphomas and multiple myeloma, that have come back or not responded to standard treatment. Your own T-cells are collected, modified in a laboratory to recognise the cancer and given back to you. The treatment pathway is indicatively ₹40,00,000 – ₹60,00,000, confirmed after an eligibility assessment.
CAR T-cell therapy is not suitable for every patient or every cancer. Whether it is right for you is decided by the treating oncologist after reviewing your diagnosis, previous treatment and current health.
Subsidised access programmes may be available depending on the product and indication. Ask the care team about current options.
Who is CAR T-cell therapy for?
CAR T-cell therapy is used for specific blood cancers, usually after other treatments have been tried. Approved uses depend on the product and current guidelines.
B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
Relapsed or refractory B-ALL, mainly in children and young adults.
Large B-cell lymphoma
Lymphoma that has come back or not responded after earlier lines of treatment.
Follicular and mantle cell lymphoma
Selected patients whose lymphoma has relapsed after several treatments.
Multiple myeloma
Myeloma that has come back after several lines of treatment.
What the team checks first
Your diagnosis, previous treatments, disease status, organ function and any active infection. Some patients are better served by other treatments.
Suitability is decided after assessment
The treating oncologist decides whether CAR T-cell therapy is appropriate after reviewing all your reports and tests.
CAR T-cell therapy step by step: what happens
1. Eligibility assessment
Bring your biopsy and pathology reports, scan reports and treatment summaries. The oncologist reviews them and orders any further tests needed.
2. Cell collection (leukapheresis)
Blood is drawn through a vein into a machine that separates out the T-cells and returns the rest. It takes a few hours and is done as an outpatient or short stay.
3. Manufacturing and bridging
The cells are modified and multiplied in a laboratory over a few weeks. Some patients receive treatment in the meantime to keep the cancer under control.
4. Conditioning chemotherapy
A short course of chemotherapy over a few days lowers your existing immune cells to make room for the CAR T-cells.
5. Infusion
The CAR T-cells are given through a drip, much like a blood transfusion.
6. Monitoring and recovery
Close monitoring for cytokine release syndrome, neurotoxicity and infection in the first weeks, then long-term follow-up of blood counts and response.
CAR T-cell therapy at Iswarya Cancer Centre
Medical oncology-led care
Blood cancers and cellular therapy are assessed and coordinated by the medical oncology team.
Multidisciplinary cancer team
Cases are discussed with surgical, medical and radiation oncology specialists through tumour board consultations.
Intensive care on the same campus
Critical care support is available on site if serious side effects develop after infusion.
Eligibility assessed first
You receive an honest view of whether CAR T-cell therapy, a bone marrow transplant or another treatment suits you before you commit.
Subsidised access guidance
The care team can explain manufacturer and access programmes that may apply to eligible patients.
Patients from outside Chennai
Patients travelling from other parts of India or abroad can contact the care team before planning travel.
Blood cancers treated with CAR T-cell therapy
The CAR T-cell therapy pathway
CAR T-cell therapy cost in Chennai
Indicative ranges at Iswarya Cancer Centre, OMR Chennai. The cost depends on the CAR-T product, hospital stay and management of side effects, and is confirmed in writing after an eligibility assessment. Subsidised access programmes may be available.
| Procedure | Cost Range (INR) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| CAR T-Cell Therapy | ₹40,00,000 – ₹60,00,000 | Subsidised programs available |
| Bone Marrow Transplant | ₹15,00,000 – ₹35,00,000 | — |
* Costs are indicative only. Actual cost depends on case complexity, room category, implants, and insurance plan. Cashless treatment available with 25+ insurance partners.
Medical oncologists for CAR T-cell therapy
CAR T-cell therapy in Chennai: frequently asked questions
What is CAR T-cell therapy?+
CAR T-cell therapy is a type of immunotherapy made from your own immune cells. T-cells are collected from your blood, changed in a laboratory so that they carry a receptor (the CAR) that recognises a marker on the cancer cells, multiplied, and then given back through a drip. The modified cells then find and attack the cancer.
Which blood cancers can be treated with CAR T-cell therapy?+
It is approved for certain blood cancers that have come back or not responded to standard treatment, including B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (mainly in children and young adults), some large B-cell, follicular and mantle cell lymphomas, and multiple myeloma. The exact indications depend on the product and current guidelines. It is not a standard treatment for solid tumours outside clinical trials.
How much does CAR T-cell therapy cost in Chennai?+
At Iswarya Cancer Centre CAR T-cell therapy is indicatively ₹40,00,000 – ₹60,00,000. The amount depends on the product used, the length of hospital stay and the care needed for side effects, and is confirmed in writing after an eligibility assessment. Ask the team whether a subsidised access programme applies to you.
What are the side effects of CAR T-cell therapy?+
The main early side effects are cytokine release syndrome (fever, low blood pressure and breathing difficulty) and neurotoxicity, also called ICANS (confusion, difficulty speaking, drowsiness and rarely seizures). Low blood counts and infections are also common. Most of these happen in the first weeks and need close monitoring by a team experienced in managing them.
How long does CAR T-cell therapy take?+
Making the cells usually takes a few weeks after they are collected, and some patients need treatment to control the cancer during this time. After the infusion, patients are monitored closely in hospital, usually for about the first one to two weeks, and are asked to stay near the hospital for several weeks and not to drive for a period. Follow-up continues for years.
Am I eligible for CAR T-cell therapy?+
Eligibility depends on the type of cancer, the treatments you have already had, your current disease status, your heart, lung, kidney and liver function, and any active infection. Suitability is decided by the treating oncologist after a full assessment of your reports and tests.
How is CAR T-cell therapy different from a bone marrow transplant?+
A bone marrow (stem cell) transplant replaces the blood-forming system with stem cells from you or a donor after high-dose treatment. CAR T-cell therapy instead reprograms your own T-cells to attack the cancer. The two are used at different points in treatment, and your oncologist explains which is suitable. A bone marrow transplant at Iswarya is indicatively ₹15,00,000 – ₹35,00,000.
Is CAR T-cell therapy covered by insurance in India?+
Coverage varies by insurer, policy and product, and usually needs pre-authorisation. Check your cover with the hospital insurance desk before treatment starts. Cashless treatment is available with 25+ insurers, subject to approval.
Related
Talk to a CAR T-Cell Therapy Specialist
Eligibility assessment • Subsidised access programme guidance
Plan your first visit
Not sure which specialist to see? Tell our care team the reason for your visit and we will help you choose.
- Bring previous prescriptions, relevant test reports or scan images, a medication list and photo ID.
- If you plan to use insurance, bring your policy details. OPD, tests and admission benefits depend on your individual plan and approval.
- Your first consultation determines which tests or treatments are needed; not everyone needs every test listed on this page.
Appointments are requests until confirmed. In a medical emergency, call 044 2025 2025 or go to the nearest emergency department.