Task launched by Kimria, the first CAR-T treatment



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“Kimria’s permission gave us the task to create a virtuous cycle for the self-development of high-tech drugs like CAR-T treatments in the short term, and social consensus on short-term wages. Now that we have the task, it is wise to do it wisely. Unraveling is the path we must follow. “

Professor Kang Hyung-jin from the Department of Pediatrics and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Seoul National University Hospital, spoke about the importance of presenting the first CAR-T treatment at a press conference to commemorate the approval of ‘Kimria’ held by Novartis on the 23rd.

‘Kimria’ (ingredient name Tisagenrexel), recently developed by Novartis, is approved by the Ministry of Food and Pharmaceutical Safety as the first new drug applied under the ‘Advanced Bio Renewables Law’, and customized immunotherapy options can be used to a person even for patients with domestic hematological cancer.

However, the cost of Kimria’s treatment, which is expected to exceed 500 million won, acts as a wall of reality that patients cannot even attempt without applying pay, and is thrown in as taxed duty by the authorities. health workers who manage their lives. with limited health benefits.

Professor Hyung-jin Kang, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescents, Seoul National University Hospital
Professor Hyung-jin Kang, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescents, Seoul National University Hospital

On this day, Professor Hyung-jin Kang explained, “With the development of CAR-T therapy, the treatment of blood cancer has entered a completely different stage.” It is the innovation that has made it possible to wait for a second life in relapsed and refractory patients whose life expectancy is only a few months because there are no more treatment options.

Professor Kang said: “Just like looking at the treatment that used mercury to treat syphilis in the past, cytotoxic cancer drugs and radiation treatment that are currently used as chemotherapy will be like pouring poison into the patient if are viewed from a future point of view. “Over the next few decades, third and fourth generation treatments that have improved the deficiencies of first and second generation CAR-T treatments, such as Kimria, will gradually return to the forefront of treatment for blood cancer and standard treatments will be considered. “

Professor Kang said: “This is just the beginning, and today Kimlia has entrusted us with short and long-term tasks. We have to think about how we can solve this costly problem and develop such an innovative treatment in-house.” .

‘Kimria’ is a personalized treatment that uses individual immune cells (T cells) collected from patients to express a gene that recognizes cancer cells and injects them back into the patient after culturing, and is highly specialized in manufacturing and treatment processes . This is because the cost is set at a different level than before by involving the process that has been performed.

Professor Kang said: “Currently, the indications for Kimlia are that the number of domestic patients is expected to be 40 to 50 per year in childhood cancer, and more lymphomas are expected. The problem is that this is the beginning.” The number of targeted patients will increase as we move to the advanced stage of treatment, but how can health insurance finance this, even considering that the price is going down a bit? “, I ask.

“The cost of treatment for Kimlia is expected to exceed 500 million won, including pre-treatment and hospitalization. However, medical inequality is already occurring due to economic power, as it is impossible for individual patients without the benefits. Insurance”. financing is people’s money, it is a level that requires a national consensus, and now is the time to raise awareness of the issue of payment for the use of expensive treatments and seek a solution ”.

In addition, Professor Kang emphasized that it is important to solve the salary problem immediately, but in the long term, it is important to create an environment in which high-tech drugs such as ‘Kimria’ can be developed and produced in-house. .

Professor Kang said: “Even in the case of Kimlia, a university in the United States developed a treatment and Novartis managed to commercialize it,” said Professor Kang. “They can access new treatments through research, and these results form a virtuous circle that leads to the development of new drugs by companies.”

However, he said, “Korea is subject to strict regulations on the level of development of new drugs by companies, including in clinical trials for research purposes.” “It is an environment where research is impossible, so it is necessary to deregulate research.”

He added: “Fortunately, the advanced regenerative biological method in Korea has been reorganized and the registration of clinical trials will start from April to May,” he said. “I hope that the advanced regenerative biological method is the beginning of a great advance in the domestic biological field.”

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