Why are some cancer patients travelling to China for CAR T-cell therapy?

This BBC World Service report follows Amanda Harvey, an Australian doctor living with multiple myeloma, as she travels to Shanghai for treatment. It also examines a broader shift: how differences in access, timing, cost, and clinical development are reshaping where some patients look for options.

The important point is not that one country is "better," or that CAR T-cell therapy is right for every patient. It is that the global cancer-care landscape is changing — and access must begin with careful clinical review.

Before any cross-border CAR T-cell journey, four questions matter:

• Is the patient clinically eligible for a specific CAR T-cell pathway?
• Which institution and clinical team are appropriate for the disease and treatment stage?
• What are the full risks, timeline, and costs — not only the treatment price?
• How will follow-up care be coordinated when the patient returns home?

At Kaiyan, we believe the first step is not booking a flight. It is organizing the medical record, obtaining specialist review, and building a responsible end-to-end care pathway.

Watch the BBC report