Checkpoint inhibitors, CAR-T cell therapy, monoclonal antibodies, cancer vaccines — India's top oncology centres deliver the world's most advanced immunotherapy at 70–80% lower cost. Medifly handles everything: the right hospital, the right specialist, the visa, the stay, and your peace of mind.
Immunotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that helps your own immune system find and destroy cancer cells. Unlike chemotherapy — which kills both healthy and cancerous cells — immunotherapy trains, boosts, or restores the natural ability of your immune cells (especially T-cells) to recognise tumour cells as threats and eliminate them.
Immunotherapy has transformed treatment for cancers once considered untreatable — including advanced melanoma, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), kidney cancer, and certain blood cancers. For some patients, the response is durable for years after treatment ends.
India's top oncology centres now offer the same FDA-approved immunotherapy drugs (pembrolizumab, nivolumab, atezolizumab, ipilimumab) and CAR-T cell therapies used in the United States and Europe — at a fraction of the cost.
A diagnosis that requires immunotherapy is overwhelming. Navigating which drug, which hospital, and which country adds layers of stress that no patient should face alone. Here is what every international patient encounters — and exactly how Medifly removes each barrier.
Not every cancer responds to immunotherapy. Eligibility depends on biomarkers — PD-L1 expression, microsatellite instability (MSI), tumour mutational burden (TMB) — and these tests are often missing or incomplete in international patient files. A doctor abroad may have ruled it out without doing the right testing.
Our MBBS-qualified team reviews your reports first, identifies missing biomarker tests, and arranges them at our partner hospitals before treatment planning. We make sure every immunotherapy candidate is properly evaluated.
Pembrolizumab, nivolumab, atezolizumab, durvalumab, ipilimumab, dostarlimab — different drugs work better for different cancers, biomarkers, and stages. Some are used alone; others in combination. Some patients respond best to CAR-T cell therapy. The choice has profound implications for outcomes and cost.
We connect you with India's leading medical oncologists who have treated thousands of immunotherapy patients. They recommend the best drug or combination based on guidelines, biomarkers, and your specific cancer — not what the hospital has in stock.
Immunotherapy is not a one-time procedure. A typical course involves 10–35 cycles given every 2–3 weeks for up to 2 years. Each cycle costs $1,500–$3,500 in India and $10,000–$25,000 in the West. Patients often run out of funds halfway through. CAR-T therapy is even more expensive — though India is dramatically cheaper than anywhere else.
We negotiate a fixed all-inclusive cycle package covering drugs, infusion charges, scans, and consultations. You get a written quote before you travel — no surprise bills, no half-finished treatments.
Immunotherapy can trigger immune-related adverse events (irAEs) — colitis, pneumonitis, thyroid problems, skin reactions. These are different from chemotherapy side effects and require specialised management. Patients far from home often don't know when symptoms are normal or dangerous.
Your dedicated coordinator is reachable 24/7. We escalate any new symptom to your medical oncologist immediately. You never wait until your next scheduled cycle to address something that worries you.
An immunotherapy course often spans 6–12 months. You will fly back and forth, or stay in India for extended periods. You need a multi-entry medical visa, accommodation suitable for long stays, family caregiver visas, and someone to coordinate cycles around your travel. Without proper planning, gaps in treatment can compromise outcomes.
Our medical tourism team plans your entire treatment year — multi-entry visa invitation letters, long-stay accommodation, family Medical Attendant visas, cycle scheduling, and home-country follow-up. Continuity is non-negotiable.
We are not a referral agency. We are your personal medical team on the ground in Chennai — from the day you send your first WhatsApp to the day you complete treatment.
We match your specific cancer — by type, stage, biomarkers, and prior treatment — to the medical oncologist with the best outcomes for that profile.
Before any specialist sees your file, our MBBS-qualified team reviews your reports, highlights missing tests, and explains everything in plain language.
We prepare an itemised quote covering every cycle, scan, consultation, and medication — then negotiate a fixed all-inclusive rate with the hospital.
We arrange everything before you leave home — the right medical visa duration, flights guidance, long-stay accommodation, daily transport, and welcome at the airport.
Your coordinator is with you at every critical appointment — translating, advocating, and ensuring you are never alone when a decision needs to be made.
Immune-related adverse events are real. We coordinate with your medical oncology team on your behalf — and ensure you have a clear plan for when you return home.
Cancer cells survive by hiding from the immune system. Immunotherapy lifts that disguise — or supplies new immune fighters — so your body can do what it was designed to do.
Tumour cells produce proteins (like PD-L1) that bind to immune "checkpoints" on T-cells, switching them off. Your immune system stops recognising the cancer as a threat.
Checkpoint inhibitors block these "off switches." Suddenly, T-cells can see tumour cells again — as if a disguise has been ripped away.
Activated T-cells multiply, infiltrate the tumour, and destroy cancer cells one by one. CAR-T cell therapy provides engineered T-cells that target cancer directly.
Some T-cells become "memory cells" that patrol your body for years — ready to attack if cancer returns. This is why immunotherapy responses can last long after treatment ends.
Not all immunotherapy is the same. The type recommended for you depends on your cancer type, biomarkers, and prior treatment. Our oncology team reviews your case and recommends the best-fit therapy — not the most expensive one.
The most widely used class. Drugs like pembrolizumab (Keytruda), nivolumab (Opdivo), atezolizumab, ipilimumab block "off switches" on T-cells, allowing the immune system to attack cancer.
PD-1 · PD-L1 · CTLA-4 inhibitorsYour own T-cells are engineered in a lab to express a "Chimeric Antigen Receptor" (CAR) targeting your cancer, then re-infused. India's indigenous NexCAR19 therapy has dramatically expanded access for blood cancers.
B-cell lymphoma · Leukemia · MyelomaLab-engineered antibodies that bind to specific proteins on cancer cells — flagging them for immune destruction or directly blocking growth signals. Examples: rituximab, trastuzumab, cetuximab.
Targeted · Highly specificTherapeutic vaccines train your immune system to attack tumour-specific proteins. The HPV vaccine prevents cervical cancer; sipuleucel-T treats prostate cancer. Personalised neoantigen vaccines are emerging.
Therapeutic · PreventiveInterleukin-2 (IL-2) and interferon-alpha boost overall immune activity. Used in melanoma, kidney cancer, and certain leukemias — particularly when checkpoint inhibitors are not suitable.
Immune system boosterGenetically modified viruses (like T-VEC for melanoma) are injected directly into tumours. They infect cancer cells, replicate, and trigger an immune response — leaving healthy cells largely untouched.
Tumour-directed · InnovativeBacillus Calmette-Guérin — a weakened form of TB bacteria — is the original immunotherapy. Instilled directly into the bladder, it remains the standard of care for early-stage non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer.
Bladder cancer · Local therapyTumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) are extracted from your own tumour, multiplied in a lab, and re-infused. Newly FDA-approved for advanced melanoma, this represents the next frontier of personalised immunotherapy.
Personalised · Cell-basedOnce limited to a handful of cancers, immunotherapy is now FDA-approved for over 20 cancer types — often used as first-line treatment, in combination with chemotherapy, or for cancers that have stopped responding to other therapies.
Pembrolizumab + chemotherapy is now standard first-line for many advanced cases.
Checkpoint inhibitors and TIL therapy have transformed survival rates dramatically.
Combination immunotherapy is the new standard for advanced renal cell carcinoma.
BCG for early stage; checkpoint inhibitors for advanced and metastatic disease.
Pembrolizumab approved for recurrent and metastatic squamous cell carcinoma.
CAR-T cell therapy delivers durable remission for refractory B-cell lymphomas.
CAR-T therapy approved for paediatric and adult relapsed acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
Pembrolizumab + chemotherapy for PD-L1 positive metastatic TNBC.
Atezolizumab + bevacizumab is now first-line for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma.
Pembrolizumab approved for recurrent or metastatic disease with PD-L1 expression.
Nivolumab + chemotherapy for HER2-negative advanced gastric adenocarcinoma.
BCMA-targeted CAR-T and bispecific antibodies for relapsed multiple myeloma.
Immunotherapy can be transformative, but it is not without challenges. Here is what every patient should know before starting treatment — explained clearly, without the marketing gloss.
Important: Most immune-related adverse events are manageable when caught early. Your Medifly coordinator stays in daily contact and ensures every symptom is escalated to your medical oncologist immediately.
Eligibility depends on cancer type, biomarker status, prior treatment, and overall health. The only way to know for sure is a complete review by a qualified medical oncologist with the right tests in hand.
Immunotherapy is approved for over 20 cancer types — most commonly advanced or metastatic disease. Some cancers respond better than others; biomarkers refine this further.
The right tests must be done before treatment. Eligibility hinges on biomarker results — these tests are critical and often missed in international referrals.
Many immunotherapies are approved as first-line treatment. Others are used after chemotherapy or targeted therapy has stopped working. Treatment history shapes the options.
You need adequate organ function, decent performance status, and no severe active infections. Your team checks blood work, kidney and liver function before approval.
Active autoimmune diseases (lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, severe IBD) require careful evaluation — immunotherapy can flare these conditions. Not always a barrier, but always a consideration.
There is no upper age limit. Many patients in their 70s and 80s respond well. We also consider your support system, travel logistics, and ability to commit to multi-month treatment.
Here is exactly what happens after you contact Medifly — step by step, no guesswork, no surprises.
Share biopsy reports, PET-CT scans, biomarker results, and prior treatment records via WhatsApp or email. Free. 5 minutes.
Our MBBS team reviews your file and takes it to a Senior Medical Oncologist. Written second opinion within 24 hours.
Drug selection, biomarker validation, and a fixed all-inclusive cost package — confirmed before you book.
Visa, accommodation, transport — all arranged. Your coordinator meets you at the airport and stays through cycle one.
Cycles continue every 2–3 weeks. Response scans every 8–12 weeks. Remote follow-up after you return home is included.
The same drugs, the same protocols, the same quality of care — at a fraction of what you would pay at home. See the real numbers.
| Country | Per Cycle (Pembrolizumab/Nivolumab) |
|---|---|
| 🇺🇸United States | $10,000 – $25,000 |
| 🇬🇧United Kingdom | $8,000 – $18,000 |
| 🇩🇪Germany | $7,000 – $15,000 |
| 🇸🇬Singapore | $6,000 – $12,000 |
| 🇦🇪UAE | $5,500 – $10,000 |
| 🇯🇵Japan | $8,000 – $16,000 |
| 🇮🇳India (with Medifly) | $1,500 – $3,500 |
Note: Per-cycle costs cover drug, infusion charges, day-care room, and standard consultation. CAR-T cell therapy in India ranges $40,000–$80,000 (vs $400,000+ in the US). Medifly provides a written all-inclusive course quote for your specific protocol before you travel.
Savings vs. US pricing for comparable treatment quality.
You do not need to figure this out alone. Medifly sends you a personalised pre-travel checklist the moment you confirm your treatment. Here is what matters most.
Over 15 years, 15,000+ patients have trusted us not because we were the cheapest option, but because we were the most human one.
We do not earn commissions from hospitals by sending you there. We earn your trust by finding you the right place — even if it earns us nothing.
We walk into the oncology department and speak directly with the department head. Your case will be reviewed by someone who knows us — and trusts our judgement.
Our team includes qualified doctors who read your reports — not just case managers who forward files. We understand your diagnosis before recommending a specialist.
When a side effect happens at 2am, you call us — not a helpline. A real person who knows your case picks up. That is the Medifly promise.
We keep your family informed at every step — back home, in a language they understand. Your loved ones should never be left wondering.
Your medical reports, scans, and diagnosis are shared only with the treating team you approve. We take medical privacy seriously — always.
Every hospital in our network has been vetted for medical oncology depth, immunotherapy experience, infusion centre quality, and international patient experience. We only work with the best — and we negotiate directly on your behalf.
These are the families who trusted Medifly with their immunotherapy journey — in their own words.
"My husband has stage IV lung cancer. His local oncologist gave him 6 months. Medifly arranged pembrolizumab + chemo in Chennai. Two years later, his scans are clear. The team called me every Thursday with updates."
"My son's lymphoma had relapsed twice. Three hospitals abroad said CAR-T was our only option but quoted $500,000. Medifly arranged it in India for $65,000 — same technology, exceptional care. He is in complete remission."
"Stage IV melanoma. NHS combination immunotherapy waitlist was 4 months. I sent reports to Medifly on a Monday and started ipilimumab + nivolumab in Chennai 18 days later. The medical care was extraordinary."
"PD-L1 positive triple-negative breast cancer. I was told atezolizumab wasn't available in my city. Medifly's specialist confirmed eligibility, arranged the protocol, and coordinated 18 cycles over a year. I never felt like a number."
If any of these describe your situation, do not wait. A free expert review takes 24 hours — and could change the course of your treatment.
Recently diagnosed with cancer — especially advanced or metastatic. Immunotherapy may be a first-line option. The right biomarker tests matter from day one.
Recurrent cancer after surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation. Immunotherapy is often more effective for recurrent disease than repeated chemotherapy.
If chemotherapy or targeted therapy stopped working, immunotherapy may be the next-best option. Many drugs are approved as second-line treatment.
PD-L1 high, MSI-High, dMMR, or high TMB results — these biomarkers strongly predict immunotherapy response. Make sure you act on them.
Not sure about your local treatment plan? An expert second opinion from a senior medical oncologist costs nothing and may reveal options you weren't told about.
Immunotherapy is unaffordable in your country? India offers the same FDA-approved drugs at 70–90% lower cost — making lifesaving treatment accessible.
Time matters in cancer treatment. Every week of delay can affect outcomes. If any of the above applies to you, send your reports today — we will review them within 24 hours, completely free.
Send us your medical reports right now — for free, with no obligation. Within 24 hours, you will know if immunotherapy is right for you, which drug or protocol, which specialist will treat you, and exactly what it will cost. You focus on healing. We handle everything else.
