What is Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy and its Cost?

Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy: A Game-Changer in Cancer Treatment and Its Cost in India

As per recent data, checkpoint inhibitors have significantly improved survival outcomes in several cancers, including melanoma and lung cancer, although response rates vary across patients and cancer types. 

When it comes to cost, treatment with checkpoint inhibitors can start from Rs. 1,50,000 at reputed hospitals across India. Continue reading to explore detailed cost breakdowns and other key insights.

What is Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy?

Checkpoint inhibitor therapy is a type of immunotherapy that aids the immune system in detecting and destroying cancer cells. In detail, these medications block the interaction between checkpoint proteins (such as PD‑1, PD‑L1, CTLA‑4) and their partner molecules, helping the immune system recognize and attack cancer cells.

Checkpoint inhibitors block the interaction between checkpoint proteins (like PD-1, PD-L1, CTLA-4) and their receptors, allowing the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells.

Note: PD-1 (programmed cell death protein 1), PD-L1 (programmed cell death ligand 1), LAG-3 (lymphocyte activation gene 3) and CTLA-4 (cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated protein 4).

Checkpoint inhibitors are used for multiple cancers, including melanoma, lung cancer, bladder cancer, head and neck cancers, renal cancer, cervical cancer, and certain MSI-H/dMMR tumors.

What is the Cost of Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy in India?

The average cost of checkpoint inhibitor therapy in India is somewhere around Rs. 80,000 to Rs. 6,00,000 per cycle. However, the price significantly varies due to multiple factors, including the type and severity of cancer, hospital type, location, brand value, duration of the treatment, the overall health condition of the patient, age of the patient, etc.

What are the Benefits of Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy?

There are 3 significant benefits one can obtain by considering checkpoint inhibitor therapy as cancer treatment.

1. One of the prime advantages is that this immunotherapy can lead to long-lasting results. Some patients receiving PD-1 and PD-L1 inhibitors experience durable responses, with remission lasting months to years, though outcomes vary. Checkpoint inhibitors may be preferred over chemotherapy in certain cancers and stages, especially when tumors express checkpoint targets like PD-L1.
2. Another significant benefit is that PD-1 and PD-L1 inhibitors target the immune system, minimising damage to non-cancerous cells. This makes them more effective than traditional treatments like radiation and chemotherapy, which can also damage non-cancerous tissues.
3. Checkpoint inhibitor therapy often comes with fewer and milder side effects compared to traditional cancer treatments, leading to a better quality of life post-treatment. The common side effects include rash, diarrhoea and fatigue.

How Soon Do Checkpoint Inhibitors Work?

As per the data, it can take an average of 3-4 weeks to 2-4 months to see significant changes in the patient's body. However, response times vary significantly, depending on several factors such as a patient's overall health condition, age, the stage at which the treatment starts, etc. Note that regular supervision under a healthcare professional is crucial during this period.

Healthcare providers generally consider checkpoint inhibitor therapy for treating advanced-stage cancers, cancers that have spread extensively, cancers that have not responded to chemotherapy or targeted therapy, or cancers that cannot be treated with surgery.