##  [CAR-T therapies are manufactured for each individual patient](/news/car-t-therapies-are-manufactured-each-individual-patient "CAR-T therapies are manufactured for each individual patient") 

 Individualized CAR‑T therapy uses a patient’s own immune system to fight certain types of cancers.



 

 Oct 13, 2017 

For decades, researchers have pursued various ways to utilize the human immune system to fight cancer. Through these researchers’ innovation and perseverance, autologous CAR-T (chimeric antigen receptor T cell) therapies were discovered.

Individualized CAR-T therapy uses a patient’s own immune system to fight certain types of cancers. A patient’s T cells are extracted and reprogrammed outside of the body to recognize and fight cancer cells and other cells expressing a particular antigen.

In contrast to typical small molecule or biologic products, autologous CAR-T therapies are specifically manufactured for each individual patient and require a paradigm shift in the approach to manufacturing, logistics and administration.

Through a collaboration with the University of Pennsylvania (Penn), Novartis made an early commitment to the emerging field of CAR-T therapies. Its facility in Morris Plains, New Jersey, was the first manufacturing site approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for immunocellular therapy production in the US, and has manufactured CAR-T cells for hundreds of patients in global clinical trials.

## How CAR-T Therapy Works

 ![Leukapheresis](/sites/novartis_com/files/styles/crop_freeform/public/2021-07/cart-one-image.png.webp?itok=Z6oGMETM "A patient's white blood cells, including T cells, are extracted through a specialized blood filtration process (leukapheresis). The T cells are then cryopreserved and sent to our manufacturing facility for reprogramming")

 

 ![Reprogrammed genes](/sites/novartis_com/files/styles/crop_freeform/public/2021-07/cart-two-image.png.webp?itok=bH04JjCP "Using an inactive virus (viral vector), T cells are genetically encoded to recognize cancer cells and other cells expressing a specific antigen")

 

 ![Expansion](/sites/novartis_com/files/styles/crop_freeform/public/2021-07/cart-three-image.png.webp?itok=w8D618t3 "Newly created CART cells undergo expansion")

 

 ![Quality Check](/sites/novartis_com/files/styles/crop_freeform/public/2021-07/cart-four-image.png.webp?itok=V7rGkrjG "Strict quality testing occurs prior to the release and shipment of the CART cells back to the patient")

 

 ![Lymphodepleting chemotherapy](/sites/novartis_com/files/styles/crop_freeform/public/2021-07/cart-five-image.png.webp?itok=mpjxEbHf "Lymphodepleting chemotherapy is given to the patient to reduce the level of white blood cells and help the body accept the reprogrammed CART cells")

 

 ![Cell Infusion](/sites/novartis_com/files/styles/crop_freeform/public/2021-07/cart-six-image.png.webp?itok=jX74m8Jg "Deliver reprogrammed CART cells into the patient’s blood")

 

 ![Cell Death](/sites/novartis_com/files/styles/crop_freeform/public/2021-07/cart-seven-image.png.webp?itok=ewZPGIBD "Within the patient’s body, the CART cells have the potential to recognize the patient’s cancer cells and other cells expressing a specific antigen and attach to them, which may initiate direct cell death")