India has introduced a new cancer treatment option that could make therapy faster and more convenient for lung cancer patients. Roche Pharma India has launched an injection version of its immunotherapy drug Tecentriq, which can be administered in just seven minutes.
Earlier, patients received the medicine through intravenous (IV) infusion, a process that often took several hours in hospitals. The new injection is given under the skin, usually in the thigh, reducing hospital time and making treatment more comfortable, especially for elderly patients and those travelling from distant places.
The treatment is mainly meant for patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the most common type of lung cancer in India. However, doctors first check whether the tumour has high levels of a protein called PD-L1 before starting the therapy.
Patients with higher PD-L1 levels are considered more likely to benefit because the drug works by blocking this protein, helping the immune system identify and attack cancer cells.
Tecentriq contains atezolizumab, an immunotherapy medicine that boosts the body’s natural defence system instead of directly attacking cells like chemotherapy. Doctors say immunotherapy generally causes fewer severe side effects and has shown positive results in slowing the spread of cancer.
However, the treatment remains costly. Reports suggest one dose is priced at nearly ₹3.7 lakh, and some patients may require around six doses depending on their condition.
The high cost is linked to years of scientific research, advanced technology, and complex manufacturing involved in producing immunotherapy drugs.
To support patients, the company has launched a programme called “Blue Tree” and has also included the medicine under the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS). Experts say the new injection marks a significant step forward in cancer treatment in India despite concerns over affordability.