Imagine flying 9,000 km for a shot that could save your life… 🌏✈️ That’s exactly what Dr. John Smith, 78, a retired New Zealand family doc, did this November 2025. After conventional therapies failed to control his high-risk multiple myeloma, he packed his bags for Shanghai in the Chinese mainland to get cutting-edge CAR-T cell therapy.
What is CAR-T cell therapy?
CAR-T cell therapy is like “teaching” your own immune cells to hunt down cancer. By reprogramming T cells, this gene-based treatment can target and kill cancerous cells, offering hope when other options run dry.
Why the Chinese mainland?
- Advanced clinical trials: Leading research centers in the Chinese mainland started CAR-T trials earlier than many regions.
- Faster access: With streamlined approvals, patients can join trials and therapies sooner.
- Cost factor: Treatment at top hospitals in the Chinese mainland often costs less than half of similar programs elsewhere.
- International patient support: Hospitals in Shanghai offer dedicated services for travelers, from translation to accommodation.
Dr. Smith began his CAR-T therapy in early November at a leading Shanghai cancer center. Within days, doctors saw signs of the therapy kicking in, giving him renewed hope.
His journey shows a bigger trend: the Chinese mainland is becoming a global hub for advanced cancer care. For patients like Dr. Smith, traveling thousands of kilometers isn’t just about therapy—it’s about finding new hope and pushing the boundaries of medicine. 💫
Reference(s):
Why a 78-year-old patient traveled to China for CAR-T therapy
cgtn.com
