Searching Beyond Standard Treatment
At 36 years old, Muhammad had already undergone years of treatment for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), an aggressive form of blood cancer. Despite multiple lines of therapy in Pakistan, including chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant, his transplant failed soon after the procedure, and the disease never went into remission. By early 2026, the lymphoma had progressed to Stage IVB, involving the lungs, pleura, and bones, causing severe pain and significantly affecting his daily life.
Originally from Quetta in southwestern Pakistan, Muhammad works as a support staff member at a government hospital. After his disease relapsed again following transplant treatment, local physicians informed him that standard treatment options had been exhausted and advised him to seek advanced care abroad.
Following review by a national medical board in Pakistan, Muhammad was formally approved for overseas treatment. He and his family began researching cancer centers internationally, exploring options in several countries including China, Germany, Singapore, Austria, India, the United States, and Australia.
Choosing Treatment in China
Among the institutions they contacted, Jiahui International Cancer Center in Shanghai stood out for its rapid communication and clear guidance throughout the consultation process.
“When treatment was no longer working in Pakistan, the doctors told me I would need to go abroad. Jiahui responded quickly and helped guide us through the process, especially the medical visa application and logistical arrangements, ” said Muhammad.
Arriving in Shanghai for CAR-T Therapy
When he arrived in Shanghai, imaging examinations confirmed extensive metastatic spread. His lymphoma had spread widely, including lesions near the left lung hilum, pleura, and bones. The cancer-related pain was severe enough that he required high-dose opioid medications, including fentanyl patches and intravenous analgesics, for symptom control.
Despite the advanced disease, his organ function remained stable, allowing the multidisciplinary team to proceed with CAR-T cell therapy.
Preparing for CAR-T Treatment
CAR-T therapy is an advanced form of immunotherapy in which a patient’s own immune cells are collected, genetically engineered to recognize cancer cells, and then reinfused into the body to attack the lymphoma.
On April 3, 2026, the patient underwent lymphocyte collection, the first step of the CAR-T process. While his personalized CAR-T cells were being manufactured, the medical team started bridging therapy to control his cancer ahead of his planned CAR-T treatment, given his heavy tumor burden. This included targeted therapies with rituximab and polatuzumab vedotin, as well as five days of bridging radiotherapy to shrink tumors and relieve pain.
Dr. Dong Yan, the medical oncologist from the Cancer Center said, “Because his tumor burden was high, bridging therapy was important to reduce the risk of complications after CAR-T infusion. We also saw that these treatments had previously shown some effectiveness in his case.”
Following bridging therapy, Muhammad underwent three days of lymphodepletion chemotherapy from April 17 to April 19. This preparatory step creates space within the immune system for the CAR-T cells to expand after infusion.
Day 0: CAR-T Cell Infusion
On April 23, designated as Day 0 of treatment, the patient received his personalized CAR-T cell infusion.
Over the following days, he remained under close inpatient observation. He experienced mild cytokine release syndrome (CRS), a known inflammatory response associated with CAR-T therapy, but did not develop neurotoxicity, one of the more serious potential side effects of treatment.
Early Recovery and Clinical Improvement
One of the earliest and most visible improvements was pain control. Before treatment, the patient required multiple strong opioid medications to manage breakthrough pain.
Dr. Dong explained, “The most direct improvement we observed was his pain relief. Compared with before CAR-T treatment, the intensity of pain medication required was greatly reduced.”
Follow-up imaging performed before discharge also showed early reduction in lesion size compared with pre-treatment scans, while laboratory indicators including lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) returned to normal levels.
Because CAR-T cells continue expanding and functioning after infusion, definitive treatment response evaluation requires additional follow-up. The patient was discharged on May 7, 2026, with a structured follow-up plan, including repeat PET-CT imaging in Pakistan approximately one month after treatment.
International Care and Cultural Support
Throughout his stay in Shanghai, the international care team worked closely to address communication, dietary, and cultural needs. Translation support, written instructions, and halal meal arrangements were incorporated into his care plan to help ensure a smoother treatment experience.
The patient said, “We are Muslims, so we asked the staff, ‘Please provide us with Muslim food.’ They prepared food according to our needs and preferences”
He also spoke positively about his experience in China and the support he received throughout treatment, saying, “Chinese people are very cooperative. The doctors, nurses, and staff were very supportive.”
Looking Ahead
After returning to Pakistan, Muhammad plans to continue follow-up monitoring and hopes to gradually resume his work and daily life as his recovery continues.
For the team at Jiahui International Cancer Center, Muhammad’s case reflects the growing role of advanced cellular therapies in treating relapsed and refractory lymphoma, as well as the increasing importance of cross-border collaboration in cancer care.
As more international patients seek advanced oncology care, Jiahui International Hospital has become a top choice for those seeking complex, specialized medical services abroad, having treated dozens of overseas patients traveling to China specifically for such treatments.
Combining multidisciplinary expertise, advanced therapies such as CAR-T cell treatment, international patient coordination, multilingual support services, personalized treatment planning, and comprehensive inpatient and follow-up care, the hospital continues to strengthen its role as a bridge connecting global patients with innovative medical treatment in China.
Contact the International Office
Email: internationaloffice@jiahui.com
WhatsApp: +852 4619 1904
