CPT® Code 0537T

Deleted

Chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy; harvesting of blood-derived T lymphocytes for development of genetically modified autologous CAR-T cells, per day

Chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy represents a groundbreaking approach in the field of immunotherapy, utilizing the patient's own white blood cells, specifically T-lymphocytes, to combat cancer. This innovative treatment involves a sophisticated process where T-cells are harvested from the patient's blood and subsequently genetically modified to enhance their ability to identify and eliminate cancer cells. The modification is achieved through the use of a disarmed virus that introduces genetic material into the T-cells, enabling them to express chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) on their surface. These CARs are crucial as they allow the T-cells to recognize and bind to specific protein antigens present on the surface of cancer cells, thereby facilitating targeted destruction of the malignant cells. The harvesting of T-lymphocytes occurs over one or more days, during which blood is drawn from the patient, and the T-cells are isolated. Following this, the T-cells undergo a laboratory process where they are engineered to produce CARs, and subsequently expanded to generate a substantial number of modified T-cells, often reaching hundreds of millions. Concurrently, the patient receives lymphocytic cell-depleting chemotherapy to prepare their immune system for the infusion of the engineered CAR-T cells. Once the CAR-T cells are ready and the patient is adequately prepared, the modified cells are infused back into the patient’s body. The infused CAR-T cells are designed to seek out and attach to cancer cells, leading to their destruction. Importantly, these CAR-T cells can persist in the body for an extended period, providing ongoing surveillance against cancer recurrence.