CAR T Cell Therapy Cost in Delhi

Expert CAR T Cell Therapy Care by Dr. Satyendra Katewa, Delhi

Learning that you or your child needs CAR T cell therapy can be overwhelming, and concerns about treatment costs can add to your worry. Under the care of Dr. Satyendra Katewa, a leading paediatric hemato-oncologist and CAR T cell therapy specialist in Delhi, advanced immunotherapy for cancer is delivered with transparent pricing, ethical practices, and outcomes comparable to international standards at significantly more affordable costs.

India has emerged as a preferred destination for CAR T cell therapy treatment, offering state-of-the-art immunotherapy facilities, cutting-edge technology, experienced specialists, and comprehensive paediatric and adult care for relapsed or refractory blood cancers.

Understanding CAR T Cell Therapy Cost in Delhi

The cost of CAR T cell therapy in Delhi varies based on several medical factors. Whilst we provide indicative cost ranges to help you plan, please understand that exact costs can only be determined after clinical evaluation, disease assessment, and eligibility confirmation, as recommended by ethical medical guidelines.

Average Cost Range

CAR T therapy cost in Delhi generally ranges from ₹25,00,000 to ₹45,00,000 for standard procedures.

Important: These are indicative estimates only. Your treatment team will provide personalised cost estimates following a thorough evaluation, including disease burden assessment, organ function testing, and determination of treatment complexity.

Detailed Cost Breakdown for CAR T Cell Therapy

A transparent overview of CAR T therapy-related expenses, helping families understand estimated costs at each stage of immunotherapy care and plan treatment with clarity and confidence.

1. CAR T Cell Therapy Procedure Costs by Disease Type

What Influences CAR T Therapy Cost in Delhi:

Disease Type and Stage: CAR T cell therapy cost for ALL in Delhi differ from those for lymphoma due to varying disease burden, prior treatments, and patient complexity.

CAR T Product Type: Different CAR T products are approved for specific cancers, with varying manufacturing costs and licensing fees affecting final pricing.

Manufacturing Complexity: T-cell collection, genetic modification, expansion, and quality control require sophisticated laboratory facilities and expertise.

Patient Health Status: Fitness for lymphodepleting chemotherapy, organ function adequacy, and infection status affect pre-treatment preparation costs.

Hospital Infrastructure: Advanced immunotherapy units, ICU capabilities for managing cytokine release syndrome (CRS), and neurological monitoring facilities influence pricing.

Complication Management: Some patients experience manageable side effects that require additional supportive care, billed based on medical necessity.

Age and Weight: Paediatric CAR T cell therapy in Delhi requires specialised protocols and weight-based dosing, affecting overall costs.

2. Pre-Treatment Evaluation Costs

About pre-treatment testing: A comprehensive evaluation ensures the safety of CAR T therapy, confirms CD19 or BCMA expression on cancer cells, and identifies potential complications early. Your CAR T cell therapy specialist recommends only clinically necessary investigations based on disease type and health status.

3. T-Cell Collection and Manufacturing Costs

Note: CAR T cell manufacturing is the most significant cost component, involving genetic modification, cell expansion over 3-4 weeks, and rigorous quality testing. Manufacturing occurs at specialised Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) facilities with strict regulatory oversight.

4. Lymphodepleting Chemotherapy Costs

About conditioning: Lymphodepleting chemotherapy given 3-7 days before CAR T infusion prepares the immune system for optimal CAR T cell function. This relatively mild chemotherapy is generally well-tolerated.

5. CAR T Cell Infusion and Immediate Monitoring

Note: The actual CAR T cell infusion takes only 15-30 minutes, similar to a blood transfusion. The cost reflects specialised nursing, monitoring equipment, and immediate post-infusion observation.

6. Hospital Stay and Monitoring Costs

Typical hospital stay:

• Uncomplicated CAR T therapy: 10-14 days post-infusion
• Mild to moderate CRS: 14-21 days
• Severe CRS or neurotoxicity: 21-35 days or longer if complications arise

Extended stays for infection management, severe CRS treatment, or neurological complications are charged based on actual medical needs.

7. Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS) Management Costs

About CRS: Most patients experience mild to moderate CRS (fever, fatigue, low blood pressure), which responds well to tocilizumab. Severe CRS requiring ICU care occurs in a minority but increases costs. Not all patients require tocilizumab; treatment is given only when medically necessary.

8. Neurotoxicity (ICANS) Management Costs

About ICANS: Neurotoxicity symptoms (confusion, difficulty speaking, tremors) typically appear 4-7 days post-infusion and usually resolve within days to weeks with appropriate management. Severe neurotoxicity requiring intensive care is uncommon but may increase costs.

9. Supportive Care and Medications

About supportive care: Most CAR T patients require blood transfusions, infection prophylaxis, and symptomatic management during the early post-infusion period. Costs vary based on individual needs and complication rates.

10. Post-CAR T Follow-Up Costs (First Year)

Typical first-year follow-up: Visits are very frequent initially (2-3 times weekly for first month), gradually reducing to monthly by 3-6 months. Total first-year outpatient costs typically range from ₹2,00,000 to ₹6,00,000 depending on complications and ongoing needs.

11. Additional Complications and Treatments

Important: Not all patients experience severe complications. These costs apply only when medically necessary treatments are required. Experienced CAR T cell therapy specialists minimise complication rates through careful patient selection, optimal timing, and vigilant monitoring.

City-Wise CAR-T Cell Therapy Cost Comparison in India

CAR T Cell Therapy Cost at Max Hospital Patparganj, Delhi

At Max Hospital Patparganj, where Dr. Satyendra Katewa provides CAR T cell therapy, treatment costs are transparent and reasonable, and all clinical decisions are guided by medical necessity and ethical practice.

Standard Cost Structure

What’s Included in Your CAR T Package

• Pre-treatment evaluation and eligibility assessment
• Immunophenotyping and CD19/BCMA expression confirmation
• Leukapheresis (T-cell collection) procedure
• CAR T cell manufacturing, processing, and quality control
• Cryopreservation and transport logistics
• Lymphodepleting chemotherapy and monitoring
• CAR T cell infusion procedure
• Hospital accommodation in the immunotherapy monitoring unit
• Post-infusion monitoring for CRS and neurotoxicity
• Basic tocilizumab treatment (if mild CRS develops)
• Blood and platelet transfusions during hospital stay
• Infection prophylaxis medications
• Standard supportive care during admission
• Initial follow-up consultations (first month as per protocol)

What’s NOT Included

• Pre-existing medical condition management
• Severe complications requiring extended ICU care (Grade 3-4 CRS, severe ICANS, HLH, charged separately based on medical necessity)
• Multiple doses of tocilizumab for severe CRS (beyond standard included doses)
• An extended hospital stay beyond the medically necessary duration
• Long-term immunoglobulin replacement therapy (if hypogammaglobulinaemia develops)
• Disease relapse management or bridge to BMT (if needed post-CAR T)
• Rehabilitation services (physiotherapy, cognitive therapy, arranged when medically indicated)
• Accommodation for family members during the treatment period
• Personal preferences (special dietary requests, private attendants, upgraded room categories)
• Post-discharge medications and extended outpatient follow-up costs

Transparency Commitment

You’ll receive a detailed, personalised cost estimate after initial consultation, disease assessment, eligibility confirmation, and treatment planning. No hidden charges. All treatment decisions are explained clearly, and any additional costs due to complications or extended care are communicated promptly and justified by medical necessity. CAR T therapy costs reflect the sophisticated technology and intensive monitoring required, with pricing remaining significantly more affordable than international standards whilst maintaining world-class quality.

Affordable CAR T Cell Therapy in Delhi Compared to Global Costs

Delhi offers significant cost advantages whilst maintaining high quality standards.

Cost Comparison: Delhi vs International

Savings: 85-90% cost reduction compared to Western countries whilst receiving treatment from internationally trained specialists using equivalent CAR T products and protocols.

Success Rate of CAR T Cell Therapy in Delhi

Families understandably want to know outcomes when considering CAR T therapy.

Success Rates by Disease Type

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL): 70-90% complete remission rate, with 50-60% maintaining long-term disease-free survival.

Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL): 50-70% overall response rate, with 40% achieving durable complete remission.

Follicular Lymphoma: 60-80% response rate, with excellent duration of response in responders.

Mantle Cell Lymphoma: 60-75% response rate, providing new hope for aggressive relapsed disease.

Multiple Myeloma: 70-85% response rate with BCMA-targeted CAR T therapy, though follow-up is still relatively short.

Factors Affecting Success

Disease Burden: Lower disease burden at CAR T infusion correlates with better outcomes and potentially lower complication costs.

Prior Treatments: Number and types of previous therapies affect both success rates and treatment complexity.

Patient Fitness: Better organ function and performance status improve outcomes whilst potentially reducing supportive care costs.

Timing: Earlier use of CAR T therapy in the treatment algorithm improves outcomes and may reduce overall lifetime cancer costs.

Centre Experience: Hospitals performing higher CAR T volumes achieve better outcomes through experienced teams and refined protocols.

Dr. Satyendra Katewa’s practice achieves success rates comparable to international standards through careful patient selection, optimal timing, experienced supportive care, and comprehensive toxicity management.

Why Choose Dr. Satyendra Katewa for CAR T Cell Therapy?

Leading CAR T Cell Therapy Specialist in Delhi

Dr. Satyendra Katewa is recognised as a premier CAR T cell therapy specialist in Delhi with comprehensive expertise in treating relapsed and refractory blood cancers using advanced immunotherapy.

Specialised Paediatric CAR T Expertise

As an experienced paediatric hemato-oncologist, Dr. Katewa excels in:

• Paediatric CAR T cell therapy for children with relapsed ALL
• Age-appropriate toxicity management protocols
• Child-friendly hospital environment with family-centred care
• Coordination with paediatric subspecialists for optimal outcomes
• Attention to long-term development after successful treatment

Comprehensive Disease Expertise

Experience across all CAR T indications:

• Relapsed/refractory acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL)
• Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL)
• Follicular lymphoma and mantle cell lymphoma
• Multiple myeloma (BCMA-targeted therapy)
• High-risk blood cancers requiring advanced immunotherapy

Evidence-Based, Ethical Practice

All CAR T recommendations follow:

• International and national treatment guidelines
• NMC and MCI ethical standards
• Careful patient selection, ensuring appropriate candidacy
• Transparent communication about expected outcomes, risks, and costs

Transparent Cost Structure

Dr. Katewa provides:

• Detailed cost estimates after a comprehensive eligibility assessment
• Clear explanation of what’s included and potential additional costs
• Honest discussion of complication possibilities and associated expenses
• Assistance with insurance and financial planning

Strong Outcomes

Achieving success rates comparable to international centres through:

• Careful patient selection and optimal timing
• Experienced team managing CAR T toxicities
• Early recognition and treatment of complications
• Comprehensive supportive care protocols
• Long-term follow-up ensuring sustained remissions

Consultation and Clinical Evaluation

Patients with relapsed or refractory blood cancers can consult Dr. Satyendra Katewa for a thorough CAR T eligibility evaluation.

What to Bring

• Complete medical records and treatment history
• All pathology reports and bone marrow biopsy results
• Recent PET-CT or CT scans (within 4 weeks)
• Current blood test reports
• List of current medications
• Insurance documentation
• Questions and concerns to discuss

Evaluation Process

Initial Consultation: Disease assessment, treatment history review, preliminary CAR T suitability discussion.

Diagnostic Testing: Comprehensive pre-CAR T evaluation confirming CD19/BCMA expression, organ function, and fitness.

Eligibility Determination: Final decision on CAR T candidacy based on complete evaluation.

Treatment Planning: Detailed discussion of CAR T process, timeline, expected outcomes, toxicity management, and accurate cost estimate.

All recommendations are made only after proper diagnosis and clinical assessment, in strict accordance with medical ethics, patient safety standards, and national guidelines.

Your CAR T therapy journey is guided with clarity, compassion, and evidence-based expertise at every step, ensuring the best possible outcomes whilst managing costs responsibly and transparently.

Note: All cost information provided is indicative and subject to change based on individual patient needs, disease complexity, complication rates, and medical developments. Exact costs can only be determined after a comprehensive clinical evaluation and eligibility assessment. Dr. Katewa’s practice is committed to transparent, ethical, and patient-centred care, with all treatment decisions guided by medical necessity and best outcomes rather than financial considerations.