Kiwi patient set to receive CAR-T therapy in Shanghai

A 36-year-old New Zealand woman battling blood cancer is scheduled to receive a CAR-T injection for her multiple myeloma in two weeks in Shanghai.

Emma Holden came to Shanghai two weeks ago, thanks to community fundraising in New Zealand, after her family made public their battle with the cancer.

She then traveled to Shanghai to receive CAR-T cell therapy, which is not yet available in New Zealand.

CAR-T, or chimeric antigen receptor T cell treatment, is personalized for each patient by reprogramming their immune cells to target their malignancy. It is a complicated treatment that requires close supervision by multidisciplinary teams.

"Emma was nervous traveling to Shanghai as the large-dose chemotherapy had made her weak," said Dr Lily Zhou, her attending physician at Shanghai SinoUnited Hospital.

"Her white blood cells are being processed at a pharmaceutical company to convert them into CAR-T cells by adding a new gene that helps detect and kill cancer cells."

Zhou said that Emma is receiving chemotherapy in the hospital as a bridging therapy to better prepare her body to receive the new cells.

"She is responding quite well, since her tumor indicators have decreased by two-thirds. We are more confident of the treatment outcome based on her physical and emotional condition now."

"Both the CAR-T team and the medical staff are friendly and optimistic. Shanghai is safe and clean. I enjoy the greenery and cuisine here. I am a foodie," said Emma, adding that they run a restaurant in New Zealand.

According to Dr Kathy Shi, CEO of SinoUnited, doctors from multiple departments are involved in Emma Holden's treatment.

"We are also gaining more experience in dealing with patients coming to Shanghai for medical tourism," said Shi, whose hospital has become an important medical center for expatriates seeking CAR-T therapy.