7-Minute Cancer Treatment Offers New Hope for Patients

Pharmaceutical company Roche has launched a new 7-minute immunotherapy injection for lung cancer treatment in India. The company introduced the subcutaneous version of atezolizumab, sold under the brand name Tecentriq. Doctors say the new injection can make cancer treatment faster and more comfortable for patients.

The 7-minute injection mainly helps patients with non-small cell lung cancer, which is one of the most common forms of lung cancer in India. Experts estimate that India records more than 81,000 lung cancer cases every year. However, not all patients qualify for this treatment. Doctors recommend the injection mainly for patients with high PD-L1 levels because the drug specifically targets these proteins in cancer cells.

Doctors at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram recently used the new treatment for a patient whose lung cancer had already spread to the brain, liver, and bones. The patient reportedly avoided chemotherapy because he feared its side effects. Doctors later placed him on immunotherapy after medical tests showed high PD-L1 levels.

The biggest advantage of the 7-minute injection is the shorter treatment time. Earlier, patients received the medicine through intravenous infusion, which required longer hospital stays. Now trained nurses can administer the injection in the thigh within minutes. Doctors say the faster process improves patient comfort and treatment compliance.

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7-Minute Injection Offers Faster Cancer Care

Experts also said the new injection reduces infusion-related side effects and allows hospitals to treat more patients in less time. According to Roche, several global studies showed that most patients preferred the subcutaneous injection over the traditional IV method.

The drug works by helping the immune system identify and attack cancer cells. Normally, cancer cells use a protein called PD-L1 to hide from immune cells. Atezolizumab blocks this process and helps the body fight cancer more effectively.

However, the treatment remains expensive. Each dose costs nearly ₹3.7 lakh, and most patients require around six doses. Roche has started a patient assistance programme called Blue Tree to help reduce treatment costs. The company has also included the medicine under the Central Government Health Scheme to improve access for eligible patients.

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