NexCAR19
Context:
Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, gifted to the nation three pathbreaking innovations during the ongoing Emerging Science, Technology & Innovation Conclave (ESTIC) 2025 including NexCAR19, India’s first indigenous Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell (CAR-T) Therapy.
NexCAR19, the world’s first humanised CAR-T therapy developed in India by ImmunoACT, and the innovation was supported by DBT and BIRAC.
Clinical trials globally have shown promising results in end-stage patients especially those with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia
How NexCAR19 works?
NexCAR19 is a prescription drug for treating specific Leukaemia.
NexCAR19 is a CAR-T Cell Therapy.
It involves genetically modifying your body’s T-cells in a controlled laboratory setting, and then re infusing the modified T-cells, which are empowered to identify & destroy certain cancerous B-cells.
CD19, a protein found on certain cancerous B-cells, especially in conditions like B-cell Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphomas and B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia.
Scientists design special proteins called Chimeric Antigen Receptors (CARs) that are introduced into the T-cells.
These CARs allow the T-cells to target and bind to the CD19 protein on the cancer cells.
Cancers may sometimes evade the body's T-cells, allowing the cancer to continue growing.
o ensure T-cells can target CD19, a lentiviral vector (a specially designed delivery vehicle) is used to genetically modify the T-cells. This vector enables T-cells to carry the CARs and empower them to effectively attack the cancer cells.