A different option after disease progression
South Korea’s Aju Press, reporting on Wall Street Journal coverage, described a New Zealand patient whose gastric cancer had progressed despite chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Bronkhorst sought treatment at Shanghai’s Jiahui International Cancer Center, where he could access a newly approved gastric cancer CAR-T therapy.
A course of care, rather than a single appointment
The account describes cell collection in July, followed by manufacturing, infusion and observation over roughly six weeks. Bronkhorst returned to New Zealand in August. That report documents treatment and return home; it does not establish durable remission or cure.
China Care perspective
What this case helps us understand
Shanghai brought a cellular-therapy pathway into reach for this particular gastric cancer patient. His journey involved a specialist cancer centre, cell processing and a period of observation and recovery. It illustrates how the development of a disease-specific treatment can create a new reason to seek care across borders. Longer follow-up would be needed to understand the durability of his response.
Sources & further reading
Original reporting belongs to the publishers below. This article is an independently written account based on those sources, with editorial interpretation identified above.
- Aju PressWestern Cancer Patients Flock to Shanghai for CAR-T Therapy (opens in a new tab)
Secondary reporting citing the Wall Street Journal; patient journey, access and return home
China Care did not provide the care described. This story does not imply a relationship with the patient or hospital, or that China Care can arrange the same treatment. Individual outcomes do not predict other patients’ results. This is editorial information, not medical advice.
Published by China Care on 29 October 2026. Patient experiences and treatment access reflect the dates of the cited reporting.