[Expats & Ailments] NZ woman with terminal blood cancer recovers in Shanghai

Welcome to "Expats & Ailments"

Dive into the fascinating world of medicine! Each issue, we uncover real-life cases, share health tips, and guide you to the best hospitals and departments. Science, solutions, and everyday wellness – made simple and engaging. Stay curious, stay healthy!

A 36-year-old woman from New Zealand has recovered from terminal blood cancer after treatment in Shanghai. Her case has been closely followed by people in her home country, as around 3,000 New Zealanders donated money to sponsor her CAR-T cell therapy.

The patient will return home on Wednesday after a recent check confirmed a complete remission, which means she is now cancer-free.

Emma Holden is well known in New Zealand after she and her family made public her battle against multiple myeloma, a common type of blood cancer, to raise funds for her trip and medical expenses. She also shared her experience in Shanghai with people back home and other cancer patients like her.

CAR-T, or chimeric antigen receptor T cell treatment, is tailored for each patient by reprogramming their immune cells to target their cancer. It is a complex treatment that necessitates close monitoring by multidisciplinary teams.

Holden first arrived in Shanghai in March, when she was very weak and her cell condition was very poor because of the previous rounds of severe chemotherapy and other treatment. She returned to New Zealand during the process for rest and then was back in Shanghai to continue the treatment.

"Though the process is challenging, the result is so good. Shanghai is such a good place, as you can be a tourist and also be a patient. The doctors and the hospital here are so good and professional. I will come back to Shanghai, not as a patient, in the future and I have recommended other patients in New Zealand to go to Shanghai for treatment," said Holden, who even wants to participate in the Shanghai Marathon to express her love for life and the city.

Dr Lily Zhou, Holden's attending physician at Shanghai SinoUnited Hospital, said it was a very challenging case and the treatment showcases the great medical capability of Shanghai in CAR-T therapy and comprehensive abilities.

"Emma's treatment was divided into three phases: symptom management, disease management, and comprehensive treatment with CAR-T. The treatment plan was revamped from time to time with the participation of top specialists from other hospitals and our own hospital," said Zhou.

"Our next step is to maintain Emma's condition and help her achieve long-term survival. She will return in about two months for a more comprehensive evaluation. We will also offer her long-term management in cooperation with her doctors in New Zealand."

"China has been in the leading position for CAR-T therapy, as our clinical research, individualized treatment, options of medications, efficiency and experience are all among the top level in the world. Moreover, the cost in China is much lower than that in Western countries," she observed. "That's why more and more overseas patients are coming to China for CAR-T treatment."

Since establishing an international CAR-T treatment center in April this year, Shanghai SinoUnited Hospital has received over 20 overseas patients from 11 countries and regions. Shanghai is becoming a destination for international medical tourism.

"Patients, who previously chose Singapore, Hong Kong and the United States, are more likely to visit Shanghai, which attracts them with good medical ability, low price and favorable visa policy," said Dr Kathy Shi, CEO of SinoUnited and a cardiologist.

A Canadian patient, who visited Dr Zhou's clinic on Tuesday, said he had consulted doctors in the US and Canada and finally chose to receive CAR-T in Shanghai.

"I have heard a lot about the city's reputation and spoke to one or two patients who have been here, and I am very impressed by the service and facilities. I was very happy with the treatment here, so it's a very wise choice. Also, the price here is comparatively good compared to options in America. So I decided to come here," said the patient with early-stage myeloma.