Hyderabad: Novel therapies to prevent cancer cells from multiplying and cultivating immunity are becoming problematic as their safety and efficacy are yet to be established.
Due to this reason, medical associations said that those therapies which are in the clinical trial stage must not be prescribed even in the final stages.
Gene therapy, lipid-based capsules containing genes and cell therapy are novel treatments at the clinical trial stage, stated experts. These new treatments are not covered under the insurance claims.
A senior oncologist, on condition of anonymity, said, “Patients are willing to opt for the treatment as they are assured of a cure. But when that does not happen they start talking about it. Hence, it is important that the family must be aware of the standard protocol.”
Experts stated that immunotherapy is also at a nascent stage and is used in those centres where there are biosimilars available. Dr Padmaja Lokireddy, a consultant haemato oncologist and stem cell transplant from Apollo Hospitals, explained, “Immunotherapy is also called antibody treatment and is targeted against particular cancer cells in diseases like lymphoma. Cell therapy is also called CART cell therapy where the ability of the cells to fight cancer is lost.
When that happens there is genetic engineering and the T-cells are injected back. This treatment is effective but needs to be continued for long. There is very limited data on this type of treatment.”
Experts stated that cell therapy was found to play a huge role in treating blood cancer and it is a treatment offered to patients who are willing to comply with the longer duration of treatment.
The new treatments are tried only on those patients who are willing to come forward for trials. A senior oncologist noted, “We opt for such treatments where we know that the patient is aware of the consequences. The trials allow us to get the drugs at a cheaper price and the effects are recorded. Most of them come to us when they have a relapse of cancer and they know that the existing treatments will not work. With relatives taking doctors to the courts, there are lots of checks and balances before opting for these treatments.”
