India has witnessed a significant development in cancer treatment with the launch of a new immunotherapy injection that can be administered in just seven minutes. The treatment, introduced by Roche Pharma India, is designed for patients suffering from non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), one of the most common forms of lung cancer in the country.

The new drug, known as Tecentriq (atezolizumab), marks a shift from traditional cancer immunotherapy methods that require intravenous (IV) infusions lasting several hours. Instead, this version is given as a subcutaneous injection under the skin, completing the procedure in around seven minutes. The innovation is expected to reduce hospital stay time, ease the burden on healthcare facilities, and improve convenience for patients undergoing long-term cancer treatment.

According to medical experts, the drug works by targeting a protein called PD-L1, which cancer cells use to evade the immune system. By blocking this protein, the body’s immune cells are better able to recognise and attack cancer cells, making the therapy part of a broader class of treatments known as immunotherapy. This approach is increasingly being used as an alternative or supplement to chemotherapy, with the potential for fewer severe side effects in some patients.

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However, the treatment has drawn attention for its high cost. Each dose is priced at approximately ₹3.7 lakh, and most patients may require multiple doses over the course of treatment, pushing the overall expense into several lakhs of rupees. This raises concerns about affordability for many families, even as the drug is seen as a medical advancement.

To improve access, the manufacturer has introduced support programmes and the drug has been included under government health coverage schemes such as the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS), which may help eligible patients reduce their financial burden. Even so, experts say affordability remains one of the biggest challenges in making advanced cancer therapies widely accessible in India.

Despite the cost concerns, doctors view the seven-minute injection as an important step forward in cancer care. By significantly reducing treatment time and hospital visits, it is expected to improve patient comfort and streamline oncology services, marking a notable shift in how immunotherapy is delivered in the country.

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