Queensland woman with relapsed myeloma travels to Shanghai for dual-target CAR-T
- When
- 2025
- City
- Shanghai
- Total cost reported
- Not reported
- Shared on
- Patient organisation story
- Patient from
- Australia
Self-reportedLast verified
Timeline
2018
Diagnosed with aggressive myeloma; tandem and later a third stem cell transplant.
2025
Relapses; not eligible for Australian CAR-T trials. Contacts a New Zealand patient found on Facebook, then emails a Shanghai professor who replies the same day.
2025
Three weeks later flies to China; T cells sent to Beijing for manufacturing; BCMA and GPRC5D CAR-T infused.
2025
Two weeks in hospital after infusion, mild CRS, readmitted for a viral respiratory infection; seven weeks in China total.
What went well
- Bone marrow negative for myeloma cells on leaving China (her report)
- Quality of care compared to Australia and the UK
What was hard
- Withdrew retirement savings to pay
- Nurses do not provide daily personal care; a support person is needed
- Readmitted for infection
"My total expenses in China were $110,000, excluding travel and accommodation costs."
Individual experience; outcomes vary. This story is a summary linking to its source; follow the link for the original account.
Source
Information only. Not medical advice, diagnosis or a treatment recommendation. Talk to your doctor. In an emergency, call your local emergency number.