Lifestyle
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Patients seek China CAR-T cancer care at lower cost
Hindustan Times··7 Sept
Shanghai hospitals are treating overseas patients with CAR-T therapy at lower listed prices than US centres, Hindustan Times reported. New Zealander Michael Walters, 25, reached complete remission on Aug. 18 at SinoUnited Hospital after paying less than half a Melbourne quote of up to $600,000. China CAR-T often costs $150,000 to $230,000, MD Anderson's Sairah Ahmed said.
Prism
What It Means For You
- CAR-T extracts, re-engineers and reinfuses a patient's immune cells to attack cancer.
- Chinese regulators have approved nine CAR-T products, the most worldwide, the report said.
- Private international hospitals in China generally stick to commercialised therapies rather than open trials.
What's Happening
- Josh Bronkhorst, 59, received a stomach-cancer CAR-T at Jiahui International Hospital after chemotherapy failed.
- He flew home to New Zealand on Aug. 16 to continue recovery.
- Beijing approved a solid-tumour CAR-T in June, the world's first for that class.
The Cost Gap
- Walters had unsuccessful chemo, radiotherapy and immunotherapy in Auckland before travelling.
- Ahmed said China has industrialised CAR-T production.
- CARsgen Therapeutics developed the solid-tumour therapy Bronkhorst received.
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