MGM Cancer Institute & MGM Healthcare Malar Save Two Elderly Cancer Patients with Advanced CAR-T Cell Therapy
Chennai, March 3, 2026: Strengthening their position as Centres of Excellence in Precision Oncology, MGM Cancer Institute and MGM Healthcare Malar have successfully administered Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell (CAR-T) Therapy — a next-generation, cell-based immunotherapy — saving the lives of two elderly patients with aggressive cancers after conventional treatments had failed.
 |
| (L to R) Dr. Suman Kalyan N, Senior Consultant – Medical Oncology and Director, CAR-T Program at MGM Healthcare Malar, Adyar; Dr. M.A. Raja, Director and Senior Consultant, Medical Oncology, MGM Cancer Institute; Dr. M. Gopinathan, Consultant – Hemato-Oncology (BMT), MGM Cancer Institute |
A breakthrough in personalised cancer care, CAR-T therapy involves engineering a patient’s own immune cells to identify and eliminate cancer cells. The therapy offers renewed hope for patients with advanced or relapsed cancers that no longer respond to standard chemotherapy.
Press meet Youtube Video link ЁЯСЗ
One of the beneficiaries was a 70-year-old man battling lymphoma for over eight months. His treatment options were limited due to underlying cardiac issues that restricted the use of full-dose chemotherapy. Following a relapse and dwindling conventional options, he underwent CAR-T therapy at MGM Healthcare Malar, Adyar, with encouraging outcomes.
The second patient, a 62-year-old man diagnosed with refractory Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL), had failed to respond to first-line chemotherapy and faced a poor prognosis. He received CAR-T therapy at MGM Cancer Institute, marking a critical turnaround in his treatment journey.
Dr. M.A. Raja, Director and Senior Consultant, Medical Oncology, MGM Cancer Institute, said precision oncology continues to redefine treatment pathways. “Even advanced-stage cancers need not mean the end of options. Our CAR-T program is built around customised care, patient safety, and financial responsibility. Through optimal insurance utilisation and judicious avoidance of ICU admissions wherever clinically appropriate, we have delivered this complex therapy in a cost-effective and sustainable manner.”
Dr. M. Gopinathan, Consultant – Hemato-Oncology (BMT), MGM Cancer Institute, explained that CAR-T therapy works by “rebooting” the patient’s immune system. T cells are collected through a specialised apheresis process, genetically reprogrammed in a GMP-certified laboratory to target cancer cells, and then reinfused into the patient after rigorous quality checks.
He added that the transplant physician customises chemotherapy prior to infusion to ensure adequate disease control. The process requires a well-equipped apheresis centre, advanced laboratory infrastructure, dedicated intensive care support, and robust temperature-controlled logistics for safe cell transfer. Ongoing research is focused on reducing side effects and expanding the application of CAR-T therapy to autoimmune disorders in the future.
Dr. Suman Kalyan N, Senior Consultant – Medical Oncology and Director, CAR-T Program at MGM Healthcare Malar, Adyar, emphasised that precision oncology is the future of cancer care. “Every patient and every cancer is unique. With CAR-T and advanced molecular therapies, we can personalise treatment even in highly complex cases.”
Harvard-certified in Precision Oncology, Dr. Suman Kalyan N has led the development of structured, cost-effective CAR-T protocols in India, incorporating insurance-supported pathways to improve accessibility. These protocols are designed for both Indian and international patients, reinforcing Chennai’s standing as a leading global health tourism destination.
The success of the programme reflects the strength of a fully integrated, in-house multidisciplinary team across MGM Healthcare hospitals, bringing together expertise in oncology, transfusion medicine, nursing, pharmacy, and critical care — ensuring seamless, end-to-end delivery of advanced cellular therapy.
****
.jpeg)