CAR-T cell therapy is becoming increasingly accessible in Brazil through innovative collaborations and initiatives aimed at reducing costs and expanding availability. Here is an overview of CAR-T therapy in Brazil:
Key Developments
- Local Manufacturing:
• Brazil's Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the nonprofit Caring Cross and Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), is establishing local production of CAR-T therapies for leukemia, lymphoma, and HIV. This initiative aims to drastically reduce costs, making treatments available to the public health system at approximately $35,000 per dose—about 10% of the cost in the U.S. and Europe. - Clinical Trials:
• Clinical trials for CAR-T therapies are ongoing in Brazil. For instance, the Butantan Institute and partner hospitals are conducting phase 1/2 trials targeting refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and other cancers. These trials are expected to pave the way for broader public access through Brazil's Unified Health System (SUS). - Public Access Initiatives:
• CAR-T therapy is being integrated into Brazil's public healthcare system (SUS) through partnerships with institutions like Instituto Butantan and Fiocruz. The goal is to provide these life-saving therapies free of charge to eligible patients while ensuring economic sustainability. - Technological Innovations:
• Automated manufacturing platforms, such as the Prodigy® system, are being adopted to streamline CAR-T production at reduced costs. This approach leverages existing infrastructure like cord blood banks to maintain Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards.
In the video, Nelson Hamerschlak, MD, PhD, Albert Einstein Israelite Hospital, São Paulo, Brazil, comments on the status of CAR T-cell therapy in Brazil.
Impact on Healthcare
- These initiatives make CAR-T therapy more affordable and accessible to a broader population in Brazil, especially for patients with limited treatment options for cancers like leukemia and lymphoma.
- The program also positions Brazil as a leader in advancing affordable cell and gene therapies in Latin America.
In summary, Brazil's efforts to localize CAR-T production and integrate it into public health systems are transforming access to this cutting-edge therapy, offering hope to patients who previously faced prohibitive costs or limited availability.
With Dr. Nelson Hamerschlak at the 7th European CAR-T conference. Strasbourg, France 2025.
Sources:
biospace.com
caringcross.org
butantan.gov.br
jornal.usp.br
research.chop.edu
labiotech.eu
agencia.fapesp.br
isctglobal.org
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Publication date: March 2025
