TNR News Network
In a major breakthrough, Rajasthan is set to develop India’s first indigenous cancer vaccine that promises effective treatment at a fraction of the current cost.
The Dendritic Cell Vaccine, developed using desi technology, has received approval for production at Mahatma Gandhi Medical College, Jaipur. This vaccine is expected to treat five types of cancer and could be a game-changer in affordable cancer treatment.
Dr Anil Suri, Director of the Centre for Cancer Immunotherapy at Mahatma Gandhi University of Medical Sciences and Technology, Jaipur, has been leading the research for 27 years to develop this technology.
Affordable alternative to costly cancer treatment
Dr Suri explained that the Dendritic Cell Vaccine is an immunotherapy-based cancer vaccine that trains the body’s immune system to identify and destroy cancer cells effectively.
One of the biggest advantages of this vaccine is its cost-effectiveness. While similar treatments in the US and the UK cost around Rs 25 lakh, this indigenous vaccine will be available for just Rs 10,000, making it a low-cost alternative to expensive cancer treatments.
How the dendritic cell vaccine works
This vaccine is developed on a personalized basis, tailored to each patient’s specific cancer type. The process involves:
- Extracting dendritic cells: These are a type of white blood cell present in the immune system, crucial for activating immunity.
- Training in the lab: The extracted cells are exposed to cancer tumour antigens, helping them recognise cancer cells.
- Injection back into the body: The trained dendritic cells are reintroduced into the patient’s body, where they activate T-cells (immune cells) to attack and destroy cancer cells.
