China's CAR-T cell therapy has achieved significant clinical progress in 2025. According to the latest data from the Center for Drug Evaluation of the National Medical Products Administration, domestic CAR-T products have achieved a complete remission (CR) rate of 72.3% in patients with relapsed/refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), with a median progression-free survival extended to 18.6 months. The related study was published in the *Chinese Journal of Hematology*. Currently, more than 30 hospitals nationwide are qualified to provide CAR-T therapy, with institutions such as Shanghai Ruijin Hospital and Zhongshan Hospital affiliated with Fudan University each performing over 100 treatments annually.
Meanwhile, treatment accessibility has significantly improved. The pricing of domestic CAR-T products has dropped from an initial 1.2 million RMB to approximately 800,000 RMB, which is only 30% of the cost of similar products in the United States (about $470,000). Through medical insurance negotiations and commercial insurance partnerships at some Shanghai hospitals, the out-of-pocket burden for patients has been further reduced. International patients can obtain the latest cost estimates and treatment procedures through the MedCan platform.
Background and Significance
As a representative of individualized cellular immunotherapy, CAR-T therapy has revolutionized traditional treatment paradigms in the field of hematologic malignancies. Since the approval of the first CAR-T product in China in 2021, the country has led globally in the number of clinical studies, with targets covering CD19, BCMA, CD22, and others, and indications expanding from lymphoma to multiple myeloma and acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Recent advances include dual-target CAR-T (e.g., CD19/BCMA) achieving an ORR of 82% in relapsed/refractory myeloma, as well as universal CAR-T (UCAR-T) entering Phase II clinical trials, which is expected to significantly shorten manufacturing wait times. These breakthroughs not only enhance efficacy but also reduce the risk of manufacturing failure, offering more options for international patients.
Implications for International Patients
For a long time, international patients seeking CAR-T treatment in the United States have faced high costs and long waits (an average manufacturing period of 3-4 weeks). The advantages of the Chinese approach are reflected in: 1) a 50-60% reduction in costs, with hospitals offering international patient packages that include treatment, accommodation, and follow-up; 2) a shortened manufacturing period of 12-15 days, with some centers adopting rapid production platforms; 3) abundant clinical trial opportunities, allowing patients who have failed standard treatments to gain eligibility for new drug trials through the MedCan channel. For example, Shanghai Ruijin Hospital affiliated with Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine recently launched an international multicenter trial of BCMA CAR-T targeting Asian populations, with enrolled patients receiving a 30% reduction in treatment costs.
How MedCan Helps
As a cross-border medical platform, MedCan has established official collaborations with multiple CAR-T treatment centers in Shanghai, providing comprehensive support for international patients, including remote medical record evaluation, visa and medical translation services, treatment bed reservations, flexible payment plan design, and post-treatment follow-up management for 6 months. We assist patients in connecting with hematology expert teams, adjusting pre-treatment regimens such as PD-1/CTLA-4 inhibitors, and ensuring medication safety during treatment. Through the list of partner hospitals, patients can screen qualified institutions and use the cost estimation tool to obtain personalized treatment cost projections. MedCan's team of medical advisors will recommend the optimal CAR-T product and clinical research options based on the patient's specific subtype (e.g., DLBCL or myeloma).
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