UNM Health Sciences has announced the introduction of a new chimeric antigen receptor therapy (CAR-T) at the UNM Cancer Center. This treatment targets and combats lymphomas, myelomas, and leukemias that have proven resistant to conventional therapies.
Dr. Shashank Cingam recently joined the UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Bone Marrow Transplant and Cellular Therapy Team, where he spearheaded the launch of a CAR-T program. According to a press release by UNM Health Sciences, this therapy involves modifying patients' own white blood cells with receptors designed to target and destroy cancer cells, following a mild chemotherapy regimen to ensure the immune system supports rather than rejects these modified cells. In January, the team conducted the first CAR-T cell infusion in the state.
"In several ways it’s similar to a bone marrow transplant, but it’s also different," said Dr. Cingam according to a press release by UNM Health Sciences. "Instead of stem cells, we collect white blood cells. These white blood cells are sent to an outside lab and are modified and multiplied to express receptors that can detect and kill cancer cells."
Dr. Shashank Cingam
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As the sole cancer center in New Mexico designated by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), the UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center is one of only 56 NCI-designated comprehensive cancer centers in the country, according to information provided by the UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center.