University of Tartu Hospital to Introduce Innovative CAR-T Cell Therapy in Estonia in 2026

Ain Kaare, head of the Department of Haematology and Oncology at University of Tartu Hospital, announced that cutting-edge CAR-T cell therapy will become available to patients in Estonia in 2026. The treatment method is primarily aimed at patients whose cancer has returned after chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Ain Kaare, head of the Department of Haematology and Oncology at University of Tartu Hospital, announced at Pardiralli that revolutionary CAR-T cell therapy should become available to patients in Estonia in 2026.

CAR-T cell therapy is a gene technology-based treatment method in which T cells are extracted from a patient, modified in the laboratory to attack cancer cells, and then reintroduced into the patient's body. According to Kaare, this is particularly promising for patients whose malignant tumours have recurred after conventional chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

CAR-T therapy has been available worldwide for some time and has shown good results in treating certain blood and lymph cancers where other treatment methods have failed. Until now, Estonian patients have had to travel abroad to access such treatment, which makes the therapy less accessible and more costly.

University of Tartu Hospital's plans to introduce this new treatment method represent an important step forward in developing oncological care in Estonia and offer hope to patients for whom existing treatment options have not provided sufficient benefit.