The President of Vietnam Society of Hematology and Blood Transfusion assessed that this is the first case in Vietnam successfully treated with CAR-T cell therapy, opening up a new opportunity for many patients.
On August 21, the Vinmec Research Institute of Stem Cells and Gene Technology (VRISG) announced the successful treatment of 4-year-old patient Tran Bao Chi (from Hanoi) with acute lymphoblastic leukemia using T-cell immunotherapy, where the cells were genetically reprogrammed to express chimeric antigen receptors (CAR-T).
Dr. Bach Quoc Khanh, President of Vietnam Society of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, assessed this as the first case in Vietnam successfully treated with CAR-T cell therapy, opening up a new opportunity for patients with acute leukemia or lymphoma who no longer respond to conventional treatment protocols.
The patient is free of cancer cells.
Professor Nguyen Thanh Liêm, Director of the Vinmec Institute of Stem Cell Research and Gene Technology, stated that after two months of treatment at Vinmec, the patient’s peripheral blood test results showed no cancer cells, and the bone marrow test revealed no malignant cells, achieving the criteria for complete remission.
The mother of the patient Tran Bao Chi, shared that the child was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and had been undergoing treatment since 2 years old. Despite undergoing aggressive treatment with 5 cycles of chemotherapy, followed by 3 cycles of a stronger chemotherapy regimen from 2022 to early 2023, the disease did not improve. The patient was in a critical condition with an enlarged liver, enlarged spleen, swollen lips with no visible nostrils, atrophied muscles in the arms and legs, and the body was only skin and bones, frequently experiencing fever…
In June 2023, the patient was hospitalized at Vinmec Times City Hospital to continue chemotherapy and undergo preparations for receiving the immunotherapy with genetically reprogrammed T cell (CAR-T) that helps target and destroy cancer cells.
After several rounds of consultations and discussions with colleagues from Vinmec International General Hospital and the National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, Prof. Nguyễn Thanh Liêm and the research team decided to use CAR-T cell therapy for the patient, as this was the last chance for the patient’s survival.
According to Prof. Nguyen Thanh Liem, on July 19, 2023, the patient was given CAR-T cells. After the infusion, although the patient showed signs of cytokine release syndrome, it was detected and treated promptly. After 30 days, the patient regained consciousness, resumed normal activities, and showed no signs of neurotoxicity.
After a series of detailed tests, the patient was shown to have no cancer cells in the peripheral blood, and the bone marrow biopsy results indicated that the patient had achieved complete remission. The patient was discharged on August 21, 2023.
A major success in the medical field.
Dr. Bach Quoc Khanh, President of Vietnam Society of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, stated that lymphoblastic leukemia is one of the most common cancers in children. The standard treatment methods for this disease so far include chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and targeted therapy. However, with standard treatment regimens, about 20% of children are resistant to the medication or experience relapse. These children often die within a short period due to rapid cell proliferation that causes blockage of the brain vessels and the vessels of internal organs.
According to Dr. Khanh, CAR-T therapy has been approved in several countries around the world for the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia or lymphoma that does not respond to standard treatment protocols, with good results ranging from 60-80%.
“As someone involved in treating hematological disorders, I feel happy and proud that Vietnam has kept up with the latest advancements in the world,' emphasized the President of Vietnam Society of Hematology and Blood Transfusion.
Prof. Nguyen Thanh Liem, Director of the Vinmec Institute of Stem Cell Research and Gene Technology, shared that the cost of treating acute lymphoblastic leukemia with CAR-T cell therapy in the US is 1.5 million USD, while in Singapore it ranges from 300,000 to 400,000 USD. The estimated cost of treating acute lymphoblastic leukemia with CAR-T cell therapy at Vinmec is around 2.5 to 3 billion VND.
Professor Liêm explained: “The reason the cost at Vinmec is only one-tenth of the price in the US is because the hospital has been equipped with modern machinery and infrastructure, and has transferred the technology to independently culture genes and cells, thus significantly reducing the cost, don’t need to send blood samples to other facilities or abroad.”
In the project, the hospital plans to treat 16 patients, including 8 patients with acute leukemia and 8 patients with lymphoma, funded by the company. Patients participating in the project will not have to pay for the treatment costs.
The Vinmec Institute of Stem Cell Research and Gene Technology (VRISG), part of the Vinmec Healthcare System, is conducting the “phase I clinical trial to evaluate the safety and initial efficacy of CAR-T cell therapy produced using Miltenyi technology for the treatment of CD19+ refractory or relapsed non-Hodgkin lymphoma and acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
This is a key project of the Vinmec Healthcare System aimed at applying one of the leading cancer treatment technologies in Vietnam.
This is the first clinical trial on CAR-T cell therapy approved by the Ministry of Health in Vietnam. The project is funded by the Vingroup Company, and all patients participating in the project will receive treatment free of charge.
