The Armed Forces Bone Marrow Transplant Center (AFBMTC) in Rawalpindi has achieved a historic milestone by successfully performing Pakistan's first chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy, state broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported this week. This breakthrough positions the country among a select group of nations capable of offering this advanced cancer treatment.
What is CAR T-Cell Therapy?
According to the US-based Mayo Clinic, CAR T-cell therapy is a form of immunotherapy that involves extracting a patient's own immune cells, genetically modifying them in a laboratory to recognize and attack cancer cells, and then infusing them back into the patient. It is primarily used to treat blood cancers such as certain types of leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma.
Procedure and Patient Recovery
Radio Pakistan reported that the procedure was carried out after years of research and innovation by specialists from the Army Medical Corps. A 21-year-old patient, who underwent the therapy, has made a full recovery. “The patient and family demonstrated exemplary resilience throughout the process,” the broadcaster stated on Saturday.
Impact on Pakistan's Medical Standing
With this successful treatment, Pakistan has joined the ranks of countries offering cutting-edge CAR T-cell therapy, significantly strengthening its standing in advanced cancer care. “The achievement highlights the country’s growing medical expertise and its ability to deliver one of the world’s most sophisticated therapies for complex diseases,” Radio Pakistan added.
The milestone is expected to pave the way for broader adoption of CAR T-cell therapy in the country, offering hope to patients with previously hard-to-treat blood cancers. Medical professionals and military officials attended a ceremony at the AFBMTC to mark the occasion.
