India Introduces 7-Minute Immunotherapy to Accelerate Cancer Treatment

Summary:
Roche has introduced a subcutaneous version of its immunotherapy drug Tecentriq in India for certain lung cancers, enabling treatment administration in about seven minutes compared to the much longer intravenous process. Approved by the CDSCO, the therapy is aimed at improving patient convenience by reducing hospital time, travel burden, and treatment-related stress. The drug is intended for patients with high PD-L1 expression and uses advanced delivery technology to allow rapid absorption under the skin. Experts believe the innovation could help simplify cancer care delivery in India, where lung cancer cases continue to rise, while also supporting more accessible and decentralised treatment models. 

Cancer patients frequently spend long hours in hospitals while undergoing traditional chemotherapy or immunotherapy treatments, which are commonly used as first-line therapies for several cancers. In a significant development, Swiss pharmaceutical company Roche has launched a subcutaneous formulation of Tecentriq in India for certain lung cancers, allowing the treatment to be administered under the skin in nearly seven minutes within a hospital environment.

The intravenous version of Tecentriq, containing the active ingredient atezolizumab, was introduced in India in 2018 for the treatment of lung and urinary tract cancers, but its administration requires several hours. India’s drug regulator, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), has now approved the newer subcutaneous version specifically for lung cancer treatment.

Lung cancer, once primarily linked to smoking, is increasingly being diagnosed among non-smokers in India as well, with rising air pollution considered a contributing factor. Roche stated that the shorter administration time of Tecentriq SC could significantly improve the treatment experience by reducing hospital visits, lowering indirect expenses, minimising long-distance travel requirements, and allowing caregivers to spend less time in medical facilities.

According to GLOBOCAN 2022 data, India recorded 81,478 new lung cancer cases, while more than 75,000 deaths were attributed to the disease, making it one of the country’s most aggressive cancers and the fourth most common overall after breast, lip and oral cavity, and cervical cancers.

Oncologists noted that Tecentriq may be used as a first-line treatment for patients with high PD-L1 expression, a biomarker used to assess the likely effectiveness of immunotherapy. Medical oncologist Dr Sajjan Rajpurohit said nearly 50–60 percent of lung cancer patients in India test positive for this marker and may therefore be eligible for the therapy.

Tecentriq belongs to the immunotherapy category, a relatively newer cancer treatment approach that can significantly improve survival outcomes and quality of life in selected patients. Unlike chemotherapy, which affects all rapidly dividing cells, immunotherapy works by helping the immune system specifically target cancer cells, generally resulting in a more favourable safety and side-effect profile. These therapies are often used either independently or alongside standard chemotherapy depending on genetic test results.

Approved in 85 countries, the subcutaneous formulation of Tecentriq is currently the only PD-(L)1 inhibitor available globally in both intravenous and subcutaneous forms across multiple cancer indications. The SC version combines atezolizumab with Halozyme Therapeutics’ Enhanze drug delivery technology, which uses recombinant human hyaluronidase PH20 (rHuPH20) to temporarily increase permeability in the subcutaneous tissue, enabling faster absorption of the medicine into the bloodstream.

The maximum retail price of Tecentriq SC is expected to be around ₹4 lakh per vial, with many patients typically requiring about six treatment cycles, although this can vary depending on disease progression. Roche also offers financial support through patient assistance programmes.

Referencing global studies, Roche said that four out of five patients preferred the subcutaneous version over intravenous administration because of shorter clinic visits, greater comfort, and reduced emotional stress. The company also stated that studies have shown lower levels of discomfort, pain, and irritation with subcutaneous delivery compared to IV administration.

Cancer specialists believe innovations such as subcutaneous immunotherapy could simplify treatment processes, reduce strain on hospital infrastructure, and support more decentralised cancer care beyond large metropolitan centres. Dr Amit Rauthan, Chief Medical Oncologist at Manipal Hospital, Bengaluru, emphasised that India’s growing cancer burden makes it necessary to rethink treatment delivery models, adding that shorter administration methods can improve accessibility and make cancer care more practical for both patients and healthcare systems.