For 57-year-old Dale from New Zealand, his best birthday gift this year was to be pronounced free of cancer by doctors from the Shanghai SinoUnited Hospital, where Dale received advanced CAR-T cell immunotherapy three months ago to treat his lymphoma. He had returned for a check to determine the results.
China has become a leading medical center for CAR-T cell immunotherapy. So far, there are six CAR-T products approved in the nation and four were either developed or manufactured in Shanghai. This has attracted many overseas patients to the city for treatment, which offers high quality at a competitive price.
CAR-T, or chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapy, is specifically developed for each patient by reprogramming the patient’s own immune cells to target the cancer. It is a complicated treatment requiring close monitoring and multidisciplinary professionals during patient selection, bridging treatment, side effect control, and symptom management.
“Since China has been taking the position on leading CAR-T therapy in the world, we have gained much experience in patient treatment and management to reduce complications and ensure good treatment outcome,” said Dr Lily Zhou from the Shanghai SinoUnited Hospital, which discharged Dale on Monday after his checkup and celebrated his success in beating the disease.
Dale from New Zealand smiles while undergoing CAR-T infusion at the Shanghai SinoUnited Hospital in September
Dr Lily Zhou checks Dale before he is discharged on Monday after a checkup confirmed his cancer-free status
“So far there are six CAR-T options available in China, covering all major targets for various blood diseases. China’s research and practice of CAR-T are in a leading position, making it a hot destination for international patients, while the price here is only about one-fifth that in the US,” said Zhou, chief of hematology at SinoUnited Health.
“All our foreign patients are reporting positive effects, which is very encouraging. The Yikaida used on Dale is the first approved CAR-T product in China. It is produced in Shanghai.
“He has achieved complete remission, which means cancer free, just one month later and this checkup three months later confirmed he was cancer free on a PET-CT scan. It is a very good result.”
Dale came to Shanghai SinoUnited Hospital after three unsuccessful rounds of chemotherapy in New Zealand, and chose the hospital after interviewing a couple of others.
“The whole treatment is smooth here,” he said. “I celebrated my birthday with doctors and nurses here on Friday and I am very grateful to them, who are my friends now. It’s a good experience for me. Nobody wants to get cancer but the treatment here is very successful and gives me new lease of life.”
Dr Kathy Shi, chief executive officer of SinoUnited Health, said the hospital boasted an international medical team and about 40 percent of its patients came from overseas.
“So we are very active in attracting international patients and participating in the local government’s campaign of encouraging international medical tourism, which requires high-quality medical capability, good language ability and patient-centered service, including picking up patients at the airport, food, cultural background, a multidisciplinary medical team, and competitive price,” Shi said.
“All our medical perspectives are designed based on patient demand. Taking patients for CAR-T as example, doctors from different departments will take part in the treatment to offer support whenever there is a demand. We also give mental support to give patients the best experience,” she said.
Dr Kathy Shi, chief executive officer of SinoUnited Health, talks about international medical tourism in Shanghai
Dale and Dr Lily Zhou celebrate the success of his CAR-T treatment in Shanghai
Reprinted from Shanghai Daily.