01 / CLINICAL PATHWAY OVERVIEW
A structured journey
from apheresis to infusion.
CAR-T (Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell) therapy represents an advanced frontier in cellular immunotherapy, engineering patient T cells to specifically identify and target tumor antigens. In Shanghai, accredited medical centers provide international-standard cellular therapy programs backed by dedicated clean-room facilities and multidisciplinary clinical teams.
HUYAN coordinates the cross-border service pathway, supporting patient medical records transfer, pre-arrival multidisciplinary team (MDT) evaluation, hospital admissions, and English/multilingual care coordination throughout the stay.
Multidisciplinary team (MDT) eligibility evaluation
Dedicated apheresis and bio-manufacturing
15-day mandatory inpatient safety monitoring
Pre-authorization & Guarantee of Payment (GOP) support
02 / THE FOUR CLINICAL STAGES
Step by step.
From preparation to follow-up.
The clinical treatment follows a standardized 4-phase protocol designed to optimize safety, product potency, and post-infusion outcomes:
Stage 1: Evaluation
ONLINE / OFFLINE ASSESSMENT
Initial multi-disciplinary medical record review and clinical eligibility confirmation before travel arrangements.
Self-Pay
Payment confirmed ➔ Treatment start scheduled immediately upon arrival.
Insured
Apply for commercial insurance pre-authorization ➔ Treatment starts after Guarantee of Payment (GOP) is received.
Stage 2: T Cell Collection
DAYS 1–5 IN SHANGHAI
Initial arrival in Shanghai for baseline laboratory screening and outpatient apheresis collection.
Day 1 ✈️
Arrive in Shanghai and check in hotel.
Day 2 🧪
Doctor consultation and mandatory lab tests (HIV, HBV, HCV, CMV, EBV screening).
Day 3 🏥
Admission for clinical apheresis preparation.
Day 4 🩸
T cell apheresis collection procedure (typically requires 4–6 hours).
Day 5 ✈️
Discharge from collection admission.
Stage 3: Manufacture Time
3–6 WEEKS DURATION
CAR-T product bio-manufacturing in certified GMP cell laboratories, followed by comprehensive drug quality and safety release evaluation.
Interim Patient Arrangements (3–6 Weeks):
Option 1 ✈️ Go home to await drug quality release notification.
Option 2 🏨 Stay in Shanghai for tourism, rest, and cultural exploration.
Option 3 🏥 Inpatient hospitalization for bridging therapy (if clinically recommended by treating oncologist).
Stage 4: CAR-T Cell Infusion
DAYS 1–30 IN SHANGHAI
Conditioning regimen, infusion in specialized clean-room facility, and mandatory 15-day acute inpatient safety observation.
Days 1–6
Pre-Infusion Preparation: MDT evaluation and lymphodepleting chemotherapy (fludarabine/cyclophosphamide).
Day 7
CAR-T Cell Infusion: Intravenous cell re-infusion with close 24-hour vital monitoring in specialized clean room.
Days 8–22
Monitor Side Effects: 15-day mandatory inpatient hospitalization for Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS) and ICANS neurotoxicity observation.
Days 23–30
Clinic Follow-Up: Outpatient evaluation and discharge home or extended hotel stay near hospital.
03 / SAFETY & CLINICAL SUPERVISION
Specialized monitoring.
Managing CRS & ICANS.
Cellular therapies require rigorous, protocolized clinical observation. The 15-day mandatory inpatient stay following infusion ensures continuous monitoring by hematology specialists and intensive care units experienced in managing:
- Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS): Proactive staging and rapid therapeutic intervention with IL-6 receptor antagonists (such as tocilizumab) and corticosteroid protocols.
- Immune Effector Cell-Associated Neurotoxicity Syndrome (ICANS): Daily structured neurological assessment and prompt neuroprotective management.
- Infection Prophylaxis: Sterile laminar-flow clean rooms and antimicrobial coverage during post-chemotherapy cytopenic recovery.
04 / CANDIDATE EVALUATION & COVERAGE
Start with your records.
Clear next steps.
Before traveling to Shanghai, our international care coordination team works with your clinical history to confirm medical appropriateness:
- Detailed pathology report and immunohistochemistry / flow cytometry data
- Documentation of prior lines of systemic therapy and current disease status
- Organ function evaluation (cardiac ejection fraction, pulmonary function, renal clearance)
For international private insurance holders, we facilitate pre-authorization and Guarantee of Payment (GOP) documentation with major international insurers. Itemized transparent estimates are provided for self-pay patients prior to travel.
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