In a significant step for public healthcare in Rajasthan, SMS Hospital has established a dedicated Department of Clinical Haematology (DCH) for the treatment of blood-related cancers and disorders. This new facility marks a major milestone, making SMS Hospital the first government hospital in the state to offer CAR-T cell therapy—an advanced and highly specialized form of gene therapy.
CAR-T cell therapy (Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell Therapy) is India’s first indigenously developed gene-based cancer treatment, designed to genetically reprogram a patient’s T-cells to target and destroy cancer cells. Remarkably, the therapy has been developed at nearly one-tenth of the international cost.
“We have equipped the DCH with all the necessary infrastructure to perform CAR-T therapy. It is one of the most advanced treatments available for haematological cancers,” said Dr. Vishnu Sharma, head of the newly launched department. He added that the DCH will offer a wide range of services including treatment for bleeding disorders and bone marrow transplants.
The department currently has 20 beds dedicated to patient care and will eventually be relocated to the State Cancer Institute for expanded services.
Until now, CAR-T cell therapy had only been administered in select private hospitals in Rajasthan. One such notable case was that of an 82-year-old woman from Jaipur, believed to be the oldest recipient of CAR-T therapy in India. She was battling high-grade lymphoma—a form of cancer affecting the lymph nodes—and had not responded to chemotherapy or other standard treatments.
Dr. Hemant Malhotra, Director of Oncology Services at Mahatma Gandhi Hospital, shared her journey: “Her T-cells were collected and sent to a specialized lab in Mumbai for modification. She then travelled to Mumbai, where the re-engineered CAR-T cells were infused.” Another CAR-T therapy case was successfully handled at Bhagwan Mahaveer Cancer Hospital in December last year.
The launch of the DCH at SMS Hospital brings this cutting-edge treatment within reach of a wider segment of the population and is expected to significantly enhance cancer care in the public sector.