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Cell and gene therapy is revolutionizing modern medicine by offering treatments that address diseases at their root cause rather than simply managing symptoms, according to Sakshi Walia, senior executive-cell and gene therapy at Intas Pharmaceuticals.
Sakshi Walia added that these advanced therapies use living cells or genetic modifications to repair, replace, or restore normal biological function, opening new possibilities for patients with rare genetic disorders, cancers, and other life-threatening diseases.
"Broadly, gene therapy involves introducing, modifying, or correcting genetic material within a patient's cells to treat disease. By targeting faulty genes responsible for inherited conditions, gene therapy aims to provide long-lasting or even curative outcomes. Cell therapy, on the other hand, uses living cells, such as stem cells of immune cells, to regenerate damaged tissues or enhance the body's ability to fight disease. A notable example is CAR-T cell therapy, where a patient's immune cells are genetically engineered to recognize and destroy cancer cells," added Sakshi Walia.
Sakshi Walia stated, "The power of cell and gene therapy lies in its precision. Advances in technologies such as CRISPR gene editing have enabled scientists to make highly targeted changes to DNA, creating personalized treatments tailored to individual patients. This shift from "one-size-fits-all" medicine to precision medicine is transforming healthcare and providing hope for conditions that previously had limited treatment options."
Despite challenges such as high costs, complex manufacturing processes, and regulatory considerations, cell and gene therapy continues to advance rapidly. As technologies improve and become more accessible, these therapies are expected to redefine the treatment of genetic diseases and many other conditions, stated Sakshi Walia.
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