India offers CAR-T cell therapy at one-tenth the global cost—Rs 25-26 lakh versus Rs 4 crore in the US—but most patients face access barriers due to limited insurance and high out-of-pocket expenses. Oncologists at a Bengaluru symposium highlighted its 50% cure rates for relapsed blood cancers like leukemia and lymphoma, superior tolerability over chemotherapy, and appeal to elderly patients. While attracting international patients from the Middle East and SAARC, experts urge government schemes, public funding, and CSR support to broaden domestic access and improve outcomes.
