Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell Therapy, is enhancing cancer treatment before our eyes. It is providing patients diagnosed with cancer a stronger fighting chance against the aggression and spread of tumors specifically in, lymphoma and acute lymphoblastic leukemia. However treatment is being expanded to other types of cancer. T cells are lasting longing in the body and proving to be more persistent and effective. Patients treated with CAR-T Therapy have reported a progression in quality of life after treatment in areas such as general health, vitality, social function and physical function. Patients have also been able to return to an almost normal life.
How It Works?
The big picture of CAR-T Therapy is pretty simple. The patient’s blood is drawn and T cells are then isolated from it. Then the T cells are genetically engineered to produce CARs on its surface. CARs allows the T cell to recognize and attach to antigens and or proteins on tumor cells. The the CAR induced T cells are then multiplied and infused back into the patient. Once in the body they would multiply more and begin to recognize cancerous cells. CAR-T therapy is fusing a personal approach to care with the modern day knowledge of today. Cancer treatment is not a “one-size fits all” approach. This shows how strong the human body is. The body in this case the best warrior and all the doctors are doing are enhancing its natural mechanisms to make it even stronger. This is changing the way we look at medical treatment. Sometimes it is important to stem away from the new advances of drugs and medication and go back to the source, the human body.
CAR-T Therapy is an intensive treatment with risks to match. As the CAR-T cells are released into the body and multiply they cause large amounts of cytokines to be released into the blood. This stimulates a very strong immune response which can lead to very high fevers and extremely low blood pressure. It also can impact neurotoxicity changes in the brain that can cause confusion, swelling, severe headaches and seizures. Ultimately, it is up to the patient and their care team to determine if CAR-T Therapy is best for the patient.
The Numbers
A SINGLE treatment can cost in a range of $375,000 – 475,000. This is NOT including hospital fees, any complications that could arise, medication costs etc. Overall projected costs could be up to 1.5 million dollars for treatment. Unfortunately, this price gouge stems from hospitals’ need for profits due to the high expenses of a single treatment. It is a tragic system to have to pay so much for something you truly cannot control. No one wants to be in this situation and no one especially wants to pay so much for it. But, the healthcare industry has managed to put a price on health and ultimately a price tag on life. In 2019, the Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) began Medicare coverage CAR-T Therapy in healthcare facilities enrolled in the FDA risk evaluation and mitigation strategies (REMS) for FDA-approved indications. CAR-T Therapy is an FDA approved treatment.
The Good, The Bad, The Microbiome 