Mrs. Qin talks about her experience five years after Yescarta CAR T-cell therapy for lymphoma treatment.
In 2017, Mrs. Qin was diagnosed with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), compounded by a TP53 gene mutation. At the time, she had already undergone three lines of treatment and endured 12 rounds of chemotherapy, yet her condition remained uncontrolled. New lesions continued to appear despite ongoing treatment.
“I was in utter despair,” Mrs. Qin recalled, her voice trembling with the memory. “I wanted to live longer, even if it meant just a few more years. I had just retired a year earlier and hadn’t even started enjoying my retirement. I couldn’t accept leaving life behind so soon.”
Just when things seemed hopeless, a new opportunity emerged. Mrs. Qin learned about a clinical trial for CAR T-cell therapy and, without hesitation, she wanted to give it a try. She became the first patient in the trial. “At that moment, I knew this was my only chance. I couldn’t give up without giving it my all. I owed it to myself to try everything,” she said.
Professor Zhao Weili, a renowned hematology expert at Ruijin Hospital, and his team carefully analyzed Mrs. Qin’s case. They developed a personalized CAR T-cell treatment plan and prepared for any potential complications. On November 28, 2018, Mrs. Qin received her infusion of Yescarta (axicabtagene ciloleucel injection). Despite experiencing cytokine release syndrome (CRS), the medical team successfully managed the side effects through their comprehensive emergency protocols.
After weeks of inpatient observation, Mrs. Qin was discharged on January 11, 2019. Follow-up PET-CT scans consistently revealed complete remission (CR). Today, Mrs. Qin continues to enjoy her life in good health, she was glad that she made the right decision.
“Within just one month of her infusion, Mrs. Qin achieved CR, which gave us great confidence in the potential of this treatment,” said Dr. Yan Zixun, who has overseen her progress. “Over five years of follow-ups, Mrs. Qin has remained in continuous remission. It brings me great joy to tell her, ‘You’re now a healthy individual. Go and enjoy your retirement.”
Mrs. Qin herself is deeply grateful. “When I experienced CRS, the doctors came to check on me every day, constantly monitoring my condition. They even consulted with American experts multiple times to ensure I had the best care possible,” she shared with emotion. “Whenever I return to hospital, it feels like coming home to family. They gave me the strength and confidence to keep fighting.”
Mrs. Qin’s story is a beacon of hope for other patients, showing the transformative potential of CAR T-cell therapy in the fight against lymphoma.
