On August 7 2023, a CAR-T cell therapy patient was successfully discharged from the Hematology and Cancer Center of Chongqing University Cancer Hospital. Grandma Li, 85 years old, has become the oldest patient in China to receive CAR-T cell therapy.
Five years ago, Grandma Li felt a mass on her left neck and was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. After systematic treatment, Granny Li’s condition was stabilized.
For more than 4 years, Granny Li has insisted on regular check-ups, which all indicate that her condition is stable. But 1 year ago, she began to have painless bloody stools, and colonoscopy revealed new organisms in the rectum. Further examination revealed multiple swollen lymph nodes throughout his body with local infiltration, and he was diagnosed with recurrence of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.
Grandma Li traveled to many hospitals but failed to receive effective treatment. In January this year, I came to the Hematology Cancer Center of Chongqing University Affiliated Cancer Hospital for treatment.
In order to further improve the efficacy of treatment, the treatment team, Professor Liu Yao, Professor Xiang Ying and Professor Nan Yingyu, after comprehensively assessing Granny Li’s condition, believed that she was suitable for receiving CAR-T cell therapy, so they gave her and her family a comprehensive introduction. and communication.
Due to the patient’s advanced age and underlying diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, atrial fibrillation, and heart failure, and side effects such as agranulocytosis, fever, and severe pneumonia during the initial treatment, the treatment was extremely difficult.
With the joint efforts of Granny Li and medical staff, her physical condition reached the relevant standards for collection and clearance of CAR-T cells before infusion. On June 13 this year, Granny Li underwent mononuclear cell collection and the CAR-T cells were successfully prepared. On July 18, CAR-T (Remal-cel) cells “tailor-made” for Grandma Li were successfully injected back into Grandma Li’s body.
After nearly 20 days of close monitoring and treatment and care, Granny Li overcame the most common adverse reactions of CAR-T therapy, without any side effects such as cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and nerve-related toxicity (ICANS). On August 7, Granny Li’s various indicators returned to normal and she successfully completed treatment and was discharged.
” We must not take it lightly. We must insist on follow-up visits and take medicine on time until we achieve the final victory.” When being discharged from the hospital, the treatment team repeatedly told Granny Li that she must strictly follow the doctor’s instructions for follow-up visits. and taking medication. “The team will also maintain close contact with Grandma Li and provide guidance on her follow-up, medication and treatment of adverse reactions at any time.” Dr. Xiao Chunyan said.
“I am very grateful to all the medical staff at the Hematology and Cancer Center for giving me hope of rebirth. I will definitely follow the doctor’s instructions and strive for the final victory!” Grandma Li said excitedly when she was discharged from the hospital.