FAQ-Treatment

Q.
What is a blood and bone marrow transplant (BMT)?

A.

Blood and bone marrow transplantation is a special type of treatment for people with certain types of cancer or other bone marrow disorders. In a blood and bone marrow transplant, cells that are normally found in the bone marrow are taken, prepared and given back to the patient or another person. The aim of a blood and bone marrow transplant is to give a person healthy bone marrow cells after their own unhealthy bone marrow has been removed.

Blood and bone marrow transplants have been used successfully since 1968 to treat diseases such as leukaemia, lymphoma, aplastic anaemia, immunodeficiency disorders and some solid tumour cancers.
Q.
What is the estimated hospital stay duration for BMT?

A.
For bone marrow transplant estimated hospital stay is around 4-6 weeks. However, you will be required to stay within the city for at least 6 months as post BMT frequent follow up is required.
Q.
Who can benefit from a blood and bone marrow transplant (BMT)?

A.
The following diseases are the most common to benefit from a blood or bone marrow transplant:

- Leukaemias

- Severe aplastic anaemia

- Lymphomas

- Multiple myeloma

- Immune deficiency diseases
Q.
What is CAR-T therapy?

A.
Chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cell therapy is a new treatment for a variety of cancers. The idea is to remove the patient's T cells and genetically engineer them to express a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) that recognises a specific tumour-associated antigen (TAA). As a result, when the CAR-expressing T-cells are reintroduced into the patient's body, they will target and eliminate the TAA-expressing tumour cells.
Q.
Which patients benefit from CAR-T?

A.
The CAR-T clinical trial is for patients with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (B-ALL), B-cell lymphoma and multiple myeloma who have relapsed or become refractory to chemotherapy.
Q.
How long should we stay in the hospital for CAR-T?

A.

The CAR-T clinical trial takes approximately 6-8 weeks, that is depend on each patient’s condition.
Q.
What is the treatment process of CAR-T?

A.
Q.
How many CAR-T have you done?

A.
Since 2015, we have completed around 300 CAR-T clinical trials for refractory relapsed B-ALL, B-cell lymphoma and multiple myeloma with excellent results. We summarised the first 51 cases and published them in the Journal of Leukemia in 2017.
Q.
What is your CAR-T success rate?

A.
The overall complete remission rate was more than 90%.
Q.
What is the benefit of having a bone marrow transplant (BMT) after CAR-T?

A.
Although the complete remission (CR) rate of CAR-T treatment is high, there is still a risk of relapse. Studies have shown that bridging BMT after CAR-T for B-ALL could further increase the potential cure rate.
Q.
How do I get an appointment?

A.
You can get an appointment through our international department representatives.
Q.
Which documents should I bring with me?

A.
It is very important that while travelling you’ve all the relevant documentation available with you including hard copy of all the medical reports, pathology reports including glass slides and paraffin blocks which will be required for review, imaging results of CT, MRI, PET-CT scan,blood routine, immune histochemistry,genetic testing, chromosome results if available.
Q.
Who will handle my appointments and schedule while in the hospital?

A.
Our International team will book appointments and schedule followups for you while you’re in the hospital.
Q.
What is the process for patients to seek medical advice?

A.
Our International Centre staff aims to provide streamlined access and personalised care for our international patients. Our staff will be available to assist all patients at all stages of their care.
Q.
Can I get my case report after treatment?

A.
Yes, after treatment, we will translate your case report and provide you with a case report in English and Chinese so that you can bring back to your country.
Q.
Will someone help me go to the airport when I return home after treatment?

A.
Yes, our International Center staff will reserve the car and help you put your luggage in the car and take you to the airport.