KGH selected for free immunotherapy trial for lung cancer patients

King George Hospital (KGH) has been selected to participate in a nationwide clinical trial that will provide free immunotherapy to eligible patients with Stage IV lung cancer, giving them access to a treatment that is often unaffordable because of its high cost.

KGH is among 61 medical colleges across the country selected for the clinical research programme and is the only government hospital in Andhra Pradesh to be included in the initiative.

Under the trial, eligible patients will receive immunotherapy in addition to the standard chemotherapy administered for advanced lung cancer. The treatment will be provided free of cost for up to one year.

Hospital authorities said a single cycle of immunotherapy typically costs around ₹4 lakh. Patients enrolled in the programme will receive 17 cycles at three-week intervals, amounting to treatment worth nearly ₹68 lakh.

The programme is open to patients aged between 18 and 60 years who have been diagnosed with Stage IV lung cancer. Patients whose cancer originated in the lungs and subsequently spread to other organs may also be considered, subject to medical evaluation and assessment of their fitness for the treatment.

Doctors associated with the trial said immunotherapy has shown favourable outcomes in a significant proportion of patients. Besides improving quality of life, the treatment is expected to help slow the progression of the disease in many cases.

The inclusion of KGH in the national study is expected to benefit patients from North Andhra Pradesh by providing access to an advanced form of cancer treatment at no cost.