Patient stories

8 real journeys

Video

Real caseUnited States

Larry Black, Los Angeles: a CAR-T infusion in Shenzhen after U.S. options ran out

Larry BlackAdvanced gastroesophageal-junction adenocarcinoma with peritoneal metastasis

A Los Angeles man with advanced gastroesophageal-junction cancer flew 11,600 km to Shenzhen for China’s newly approved solid-tumor CAR-T. After the infusion his tumour marker CA19-9 fell from 8,200 to 57.6 U/mL and he was discharged.

The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital (International Medical Center)Shenzhen

Real caseUnited States

Crossing the Pacific to Hangzhou: a first solid-tumour CAR-T case for Zhejiang

A Chinese-American patientAdvanced gastric cancer with widespread peritoneal metastasis

After multi-line treatment in the U.S. failed, a Chinese-American patient with advanced gastric cancer received satri-cel at Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, tolerated it well and flew home.

Sir Run Run Shaw HospitalHangzhou

Real caseRussia

Vera, 12, from Moscow: first steps with a walker after spinal-cord neural-interface surgery

VeraThoracic spinal cord injury with lower-limb paraplegia (incomplete injury)

A 12-year-old Russian girl left paraplegic by a car accident received a closed-loop spinal-cord neural interface in Hangzhou and, with rehabilitation, stood and walked 10+ metres with a walker.

The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhou

Real caseNot disclosed

Alex: three months of CAR-T care in Beijing, from 60 e-mails to a fridge magnet

Alex (pseudonym)Relapsed multiple myeloma

A 45-year-old man with relapsed multiple myeloma, told at home that no further options remained, was guided by a hospital’s international team through visa, travel and treatment in Beijing and flew home after more than three months.

Beijing United Family HospitalBeijing

Real caseSpain

Juan, a Spanish traveller: robot-assisted pelvic surgery in Chongqing, home in five days

JuanSevere pelvic fracture

A 30-year-old Spanish tourist with a severe pelvic fracture had minimally invasive surgery with a domestically developed orthopaedic robot, sat up after three days and left hospital after five.

The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical UniversityChongqing

Real caseUnited States

Daniel: from MD Anderson to Shanghai for ivonescimab, through an ICU scare to stability

DanielAdvanced non-small cell lung cancer, with Parkinson’s disease

A U.S. patient in his 70s with advanced lung cancer and Parkinson’s disease, out of standard options at MD Anderson, chose Shanghai for the PD-1/VEGF bispecific antibody ivonescimab. After an immune-related ICU episode his condition stabilised.

Jiahui International Cancer Center (Shanghai Jiahui International Hospital)Shanghai

Real caseSouth Africa

Oscar Chalupsky: told “hopeless” in three countries, he flew to Shanghai for CAR-T

Oscar ChalupskyHigh-risk multiple myeloma

A 12-time kayak world champion with high-risk multiple myeloma searched for the world’s best haematology department and chose Ruijin Hospital in Shanghai, where a CAR-T plan was drawn up after a full evaluation.

Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghai

Real caseUnited Kingdom

Amie: stomach pain, a flight to Beijing, and a diagnosis within two weeks

AmiePersistent stomach pain — chronic gastritis

Facing a wait of at least two weeks to see a GP, a British woman booked a flight to Beijing, saw a gastroenterologist within five days, had a sedated endoscopy and was diagnosed with chronic gastritis about a week later.

Beijing Tsinghua Changgung HospitalBeijing

Each story is one person’s reported experience, not a promise of results. Outcomes differ with diagnosis and the individual. This is not medical advice; treatment decisions are made with the treating hospital.