CAR T-cell therapy

A groundbreaking immunotherapy that uses your own immune system to target and eliminate cancer cells. 

 

At HCA Healthcare UK, we combine clinical expertise with state-of-the-art facilities, to deliver this complex and innovative treatment with safety and care.

CAR T-Cell therapy

CAR T-cells, also known as Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) modified T-cells, are an innovative type of immunotherapy, used to treat certain types of blood cancer. CAR T-cell therapy is one of the first personalised treatments for blood cancer, and is one of the most advanced cancer treatments available today. 

What are T-cells and how do they work? 

To understand what CAR T-cell therapy is, and how it works, it helps to first understand what T-cells are.

What are T-cells?

T-cells are a vital part of your immune system. They’re a type of white blood cell that patrols your body, finding and removing abnormal cells, infections, and diseases – including cancer cells.

How do T-cells work?

When your body encounters a new infection or abnormal cells, it creates T-cells specifically designed to destroy them. Some of these T-cells remain in reserve, ready to respond quickly if the same infection or abnormality returns.

But, as effective as your T-cells are, cancer cells can sometimes evade this natural defence, making it hard for T-cells to recognise them. This allows cancer cells to develop and grow.  

What is CAR T-cell therapy?

CAR T-cell therapy is a revolutionary form of personalised immunotherapy. When cancer cells evade detection from your immune system, CAR T-cell therapy is designed to overcome this, and see through their disguise. It works by reprogramming your own T-cells to detect and eliminate cancer cells that would have otherwise remained hidden.

To create CAR T-cell therapy, your T-cells are collected and genetically modified in a laboratory to include a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR). This receptor acts like a guide, enabling your T-cells to identify and attach to specific markers, called antigens, found on the surface of cancer cells. Once re-introduced into your body, these enhanced T-cells find their way to the cancer, targeting and destroying the cancer cells in a very direct way. 

This highly targeted treatment is custom-made for each person, providing an alternative treatment option for some types of blood cancers. 

How does CAR T-cell therapy work?

CAR T-cell therapy involves several carefully designed steps to enable your immune system to target and eliminate cancer cells:

In a procedure called leukapheresis, a special machine is used to separate your white blood cells, the machine sets aside some of your T-cells and returns the rest of your blood back to your body.

Your T-cells are sent to a laboratory where they’re genetically modified to include a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR). This receptor acts as a guide, helping your T-cells to locate cancer cells.

Your modified T-cells are grown and expanded in the lab until there are millions of them, ready to target cancer cells. 

Once ready, your CAR T-cells are returned to your bloodstream through an intravenous (IV) drip. This is a straightforward procedure similar to a blood transfusion.

Inside your body, the CAR T-cells locate cancer cells using their new receptors, and eliminate them while leaving healthy cells unharmed. 

Watch our video to find out more about how CAR T-cell therapy works

Why choose HCA Healthcare UK for CAR T-cell therapy? 

At HCA Healthcare UK, we are proud to be at the forefront of cancer treatment, providing access to emerging therapies as soon as they are available.

We were one of the first JACIE accredited independent providers in the UK to offer CAR T-cell therapy, and more recently became one of the first independent providers to offer CAR T-cell therapy for multiple myeloma patients.

Our expertise and facilities ensure you receive exceptional care:

  • Consultant expertiseOur haematology consultants, and wider clinical teams, are some of the most experienced and knowledgeable specialists in the world. Through their clinical practice and research interests, they are continually driving treatments forward.
  • Outstanding care: All of our hospitals offering CAR T-cell therapy have been rated ‘Outstanding’ by the CQC, and our stem cell transplant units are JACIE-ISCT accredited 
  • Specialist environments: Our hospitals are equipped to provide safe and effective delivery of complex care.
  • Comprehensive support: You’ll have a whole team of experts on hand to support you through your diagnosis and treatment. From your named Clinical Nurse Specialist (link) to specialists in nutrition, emotional support and physical therapy.
Man with his daughter

What types of blood cancer can CAR T-cell therapy treat?

At HCA UK CAR T-cell therapy is available for adults, aged 18 and over. Your consultant will be able to talk you through your treatment options, including if CAR T-cell therapy could be effective for you. 

CAR T-cell therapy can be used to treat:

  • Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
  • Transformed follicular lymphoma
  • Primary mediastinal large b-cell lymphoma
  • Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
  • Mantle cell lymphoma
  • Multiple myeloma

An experts view

“As a physician treating multiple myeloma patients for many years, this is probably the biggest step change in multiple myeloma treatment that I’ve seen in a decade.”

Cancer research is continually exploring whether CAR T-cell therapy can be effective for other types of cancers. Most recently, CAR T-cell therapy has been approved for the treatment of people with multiple myeloma, and is now available at HCA Healthcare UK.

Watch the video to hear more from Professor Ashutosh Wechalekar.

Learn More About CAR T-cell Therapy

If you’d like to explore whether CAR T-cell therapy could be the right treatment option for you, our team is here to help.

Our CAR T-cell therapy locations

The Christie Private Care

The Christie Private Care

Wilmslow Road M20 4BX Manchester
HCA Healthcare UK at University College Hospital

HCA Healthcare UK at University College Hospital

Grafton Way Building, 1 Grafton Way WC1E 6AG London