HomeBlogsCAR-T Cell Therapy Beyond Leukemia: What’s Next in Cancer Treatment?
By Dr. Rajesh Bollam
February 12, 2026
CAR-T Cell Therapy Beyond Leukemia: What’s Next in Cancer Treatment?
Key Takeaways
CAR-T delivers >80% remission rates in relapsed B-cell ALL, transforming leukemia outcomes.
Now approved for lymphoma and multiple myeloma, with 50–90% response rates in advanced disease.
Over 1,000 global clinical trials are expanding CAR-T into solid tumours.
Next-gen innovations include dual-target, off-the-shelf, and safer engineered CAR-T designs.
Cost and infrastructure remain barriers, but scalability is improving.
India is emerging in CAR-T development, expanding advanced cellular therapy access.
CAR-T is shifting from last-line rescue to a core precision oncology strategy.
What is CAR-T Cell Therapy
CAR-T cell therapy is a personalised cancer treatment where a patient’s own immune cells are genetically modified to recognise and attack cancer cells.
But the real story is just beginning.
Today, researchers, oncologists, and immunologists worldwide are asking a critical question:
Can CAR-T cell therapy move beyond leukemia and transform treatment for lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and even solid tumours like lung or breast cancer?
This blog explores the science, the evidence, the emerging data, and what the future holds for CAR-T therapy in the next decade.
Revolutionary Next Step in Cancer with CAR-T Cell Therapy
CAR-T cell therapy has already revolutionised treatment for certain blood cancers, particularly relapsed or refractory leukemia. What was once considered experimental is now an established, guideline-supported therapy in advanced hematologic malignancies.
Complete remission rates in pediatric and young adult relapsed ALL exceeded 80%
Many patients had exhausted all other treatment options
Durable remissions were observed in a significant percentage
The first CAR-T product was approved in 2017. Since then, additional therapies have received regulatory approval. The American Cancer Society highlights that survival in relapsed ALL historically was under 10–20%, making CAR-T a transformational advancement.
Why Leukemia Was Ideal for CAR-T
Leukemia provided a strong starting point because:
Cancer cells circulate in the blood and the bone marrow (easier immune access)
CD19 is a clear and consistent target
Tumour burden can be rapidly reduced
This success created the platform for expansion.
Expansion Beyond Leukemia: Current Approved Indications
CAR-T in Lymphoma
CAR-T therapy is now widely used in aggressive forms of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (NHL).
Response rates exceeding 70–90% in heavily pretreated patients
Deep MRD-negative remissions
Prolonged progression-free survival
Why BCMA Is a Strong Target
BCMA (B-cell maturation antigen):
It is highly expressed on malignant plasma cells
Has limited expression in normal tissues
Provides a relatively safe therapeutic window
Clinical data published in major journals demonstrate:
Median progression-free survival exceeding 12 months in advanced cases
Significant symptom improvement
Reduced tumour burden even after multiple prior therapies
Importantly, trials are now testing:
CAR-T as second-line therapy
CAR-T in newly diagnosed high-risk patients
This shift signals a new era in plasma cell malignancy treatment.
Solid Tumours: The Most Ambitious Frontier
Can CAR-T Work in Solid Tumours?
Research is ongoing, and progress is real, but challenges remain significant. The Nature Reviews Clinical Oncology emphasises that solid tumours present unique biological barriers.
The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention describes CRS as a potentially serious inflammatory response, though modern protocols have improved management significantly.
New innovations include:
Built-in safety switches
Tunable CAR signaling
Reduced cytokine intensity engineering
Improved safety may allow:
Use in older patients
Outpatient administration in future
Broader patient eligibility
CAR-NK and Other Cellular Platforms
Beyond T-cells, scientists are engineering:
Natural Killer (NK) cells
Macrophages
Gamma-delta T cells
Potential advantages include:
Lower risk of graft-versus-host disease
Reduced neurotoxicity
Easier mass production
These platforms could represent the next evolution in cellular immunotherapy.
Cost, Accessibility, and Global Expansion
CAR-T therapy remains expensive.
In the U.S., treatment costs can exceed:
$350,000–$475,000 per infusion (excluding hospitalisation)
India reports over 1.4 million new cancer cases annually
Hematologic malignancies remain a substantial burden
India has begun:
Developing indigenous CAR-T platforms
Reducing manufacturing costs
Expanding tertiary oncology centres
Patients searching:
“CAR-T therapy cost in India”
“Is CAR-T available near me?”
“Best hospital for CAR-T in Hyderabad or Delhi?”
will increasingly find growing availability in specialised centres.
What the Future Holds: 5–10 Year Outlook
Experts anticipate:
Earlier integration into treatment algorithms
Combination with immunotherapy drugs
Outpatient CAR-T models
Expanded solid tumour success
Reduced costs through automation
CAR-T is transitioning from:
Experimental therapy To Core oncology strategy
The Future of CAR-T Is Already Taking Shape
CAR-T therapy is advancing quickly. Dual-target designs, off-the-shelf models, and safer engineering are making treatment more effective and accessible. It is also moving earlier in cancer care.
In India, leading oncology centres are building the infrastructure needed for safe cellular therapy delivery.
At Renova Hospitals, multidisciplinary teams and precision-driven protocols support advanced cancer treatments. As research grows, CAR-T is evolving beyond leukemia and becoming a key pillar of personalised cancer care.
Our healthcare specialists are equipped with the knowledge and skills to
provide you with the support you require. From consultation to diagnosis to treatments, our experts are
dedicated to helping you.
Dr. Rajesh Bollam
Medical Oncology, Head & Neck Oncology
14 years Experience
Telugu, English, Hindi, Kannada
Renova Century Hospital - Banjara Hills, Renova Soumya Cancer Centre - Secunderabad, Renova Bannu Hospitals - Warangal
Our healthcare specialists are equipped with the
knowledge and skills to provide you with the support you require. From consultation to diagnosis to
treatments, our experts are dedicated to helping you.
Gynaecologists – When can you see one, what to expect, common procedures
12 February 2026
|
By
Our first reaction to the words “gynaecology,” “reprodu...
Find quick answers to common questions about our services, doctors, and care at Renova Hospitals. So you can feel informed and confident at every step.
Is CAR-T therapy a cure?
In some patients, it leads to long-term remission. However, not all patients achieve a cure.
How long do CAR-T cells stay in the body?
Engineered cells may persist for months or even years, depending on the immune response.
Who qualifies for CAR-T therapy?
Typically, patients with relapsed or refractory hematologic cancers meet eligibility criteria.
Can older patients receive CAR-T?
Yes, but risk assessment is critical. Newer designs aim to improve safety in elderly patients.
