CAR-T Cell Therapy
An advanced immunotherapy in which a patient's own T-cells are genetically engineered to recognise and destroy cancer cells, then infused back into the body.
Overview
Chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy is a personalised cellular immunotherapy for certain blood cancers, including some lymphomas, leukaemias and multiple myeloma. A patient's T-cells are collected, genetically modified in a laboratory to express a receptor targeting a cancer-specific antigen, expanded, and then reinfused. The engineered cells multiply in the body and attack the cancer. It is a distinct treatment from stem cell transplantation, with its own indications, costs and risk profile such as cytokine release syndrome.
Before you travel: what the CDC recommends
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention publishes guidance for Americans travelling abroad for medical care. These are its recommendations, not ours.
- Check the qualifications of the clinician who will perform the procedure and the credentials of the facility.
- Bring copies of your medical records, including lab and other test results related to your condition.
- Make sure you can get follow-up care in the United States. Care for complications can be expensive and might not be covered by your health insurance.
- Obtain international travel health insurance that covers medical evacuation back to the United States.
- Plan for the possibility of paying out of pocket for additional or emergency care.
- See your own healthcare provider 4–6 weeks before the trip to discuss risks specific to your health.
- Delay air travel for 10–14 days after major surgery, particularly chest surgery, to reduce risks from changes in cabin pressure.
CAR-T Cell Therapy abroad: frequently asked questions
How much does CAR-T cell therapy cost in the U.S.?
Typically $402,647 to $510,963, according to Peer-reviewed cost analysis, PMC6145722.
Will U.S. insurance pay for CAR-T cell therapy abroad?
Most U.S. health plans do not pay for elective surgery abroad, and cosmetic procedures are not covered at all. The CDC also warns that care for complications after surgery abroad may not be covered, so check your plan before you book.