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Medical Care in China

Anemia (aplastic anemia, iron deficiency anemia, severe β-thalassemia)
Treatment in China

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The coverage of blood diseases is broadincluding anemia, leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma.

Precise blood diagnosisclarifies the condition through bone marrow, molecular and genetic examinations.

Cell therapy selectionCAR-T and other therapies are evaluated for eligible patients.

Transplantation therapy supportcovers hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and related management.

Condition Guide

About Anemia (aplastic anemia, iron deficiency anemia, severe β-thalassemia)

Understand the condition, common triggers and treatment options that may require specialist assessment.

Disease Introduction

Anemia refers to a group of diseases characterized by a lower than normal number of red blood cells or hemoglobin in peripheral blood, resulting in insufficient tissue oxygen supply. Aplastic anemia is caused by bone marrow failure leading to a pancytopenia, manifesting as anemia, bleeding, and infection; iron deficiency anemia is caused by insufficient iron reserves leading to impaired hemoglobin synthesis, often caused by blood loss or insufficient intake; severe β-thalassemia is caused by a genetic defect in globin, and severe cases require lifelong blood transfusions. These three types of anemia have different causes and significantly different treatment pathways.

Cutting-edge high-precision diagnostic and treatment technologies

Targeted immunotherapy combination for aplastic anemia : Combining eltrombopag, hetrombopag or avatrombopag, or other TPO receptor agonists with immunosuppressive therapy (ATG combined with cyclosporine A) can improve the hematologic remission rate and has become the first-line choice for severe aplastic anemia in patients without sibling donors.
Radical cure for aplastic anemia : Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is a radical cure for young people with severe aplastic anemia. Transplantation with a sibling fully matched donor has a high cure rate; transplantation with an unrelated donor is being studied in randomized controlled trials as a first-line treatment.
Optimized iron supplementation : Oral iron supplements are the first choice for iron deficiency anemia. A single dose taken every other morning is better absorbed than multiple doses per day. For those who cannot tolerate it or need rapid correction, intravenous infusion of carboxy-maltose iron or detriose maltose iron can be used, and the iron can be replenished in 1 to 2 doses.
Gene therapy for thalassemia : The United States has approved beti-cel (gene addition) and exa-cel (gene editing) for the treatment of transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia, which can significantly improve the rate of weaning off transfusions and provide new options for those with difficulty in matching.
Base editing for thalassemia : In April 2026, a Chinese team (the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University in collaboration with ShanghaiTech University, Fudan University, and Zhengxu Bio) published the world's first results of base editing drug treatment for transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia in Nature. All 5 patients were weaned off blood transfusions, and the first case has been more than 28 months.

Care Overview

Anemia (aplastic anemia, iron deficiency anemia, severe β-thalassemia) Treatment in China

The medical team will develop a personalized protocol based on the pathology type, stage, genetic test, previous treatment history, and the patient's physical condition.

1. First-line stratification for aplastic anemia: For patients with a sibling donor who are young, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is given priority; for patients without a suitable donor or who are elderly, ATG combined with cyclosporine A and TPO receptor agonists are used to enhance immunosuppressive therapy.
2. Treatment options for refractory aplastic anemia : For patients with immunosuppression and those who have failed multiple oral TPO-RA regimens, high-dose roprostine can be tried; for elderly patients, cyclosporine A combined with avatrobappa can be used, with comparable efficacy and fewer adverse reactions.
3. Treatment of iron deficiency : While supplementing iron, actively find and treat the underlying cause, such as gastrointestinal bleeding, menorrhagia, chronic blood loss, etc.; after hemoglobin levels return to normal, continue iron supplementation for at least 3 months to replenish iron stores.
4. Routine maintenance for thalassemia : For severe β-thalassemia, regular blood transfusions combined with iron chelation therapy (such as ferricidine and deferasirox) are used to control iron overload and protect the endocrine functions of the heart, liver, and kidneys. This serves as the basic treatment plan for those who cannot receive radical treatment.
5. Thalassemia cure pathway : For those with a matching donor, allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation can be performed; for those without a donor or who do not wish to undergo transplantation, clinical trials of gene addition, gene editing, or base editing can be evaluated to achieve a one-time elimination of blood transfusions.

1. Improved survival in aplastic anemia : TPO-RA combined with immunosuppression significantly improves the hematological remission rate of severe aplastic anemia, and some patients can be weaned off blood transfusions and resume normal hematopoiesis.
2. Long-term cure through transplantation : Allogeneic transplantation can provide young patients with the opportunity for long-term disease-free survival and radical cure, and its status as a first-line transplant is clear.
3. Rapid iron supplementation to target levels : Intravenous iron infusions can quickly increase hemoglobin levels with one or two infusions, shortening the anemia correction period and reducing outpatient visits.
4. Hope for a cure for thalassemia : Gene therapy and base editing can restore hematopoietic function in one treatment, freeing patients from the burden of lifelong blood transfusions and iron chelation and allowing them to return to a normal life.
5. Domestic Innovation and Accessibility : China's independently developed thalassemia base editing therapy and several domestically produced TPO-RA and iron supplements have been launched or entered clinical trials, and the treatment cost and accessibility continue to improve.

Network of partner hospitals

Recommended Hospitals

Selected leading medical centers with strong specialties and international patient services.

Institute of Hematology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Institute of Hematology)

Beijing · Partner Hospital

Institute of Hematology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Institute of Hematology)

Hematology

The institute is the supporting unit of the National Clinical Research Center for Hematological Diseases, the National Stem Cell Engineering Technology Research Center, and the Stem Cell Medicine Center of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. It is also the executive department of the World Federation of Hemophilia (China), the supporting unit of the National Hemophilia Case Information Management Center, and is leading the establishment of the National Quality Control Center for Hematology. For many consecutive years, it has ranked first in the Fudan University ranking of hematology disciplines, and its CAR-T cell therapy center for hematological diseases ranks second in the country.

Year Founded: 1957
Beds: 1540

Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine

Shanghai · Partner Hospital

Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine

OncologyHematologyGastroenterologyUrologyInternal MedicineSurgeryOrthopedics

Ruijin Hospital consistently ranks among the top four hospitals in China according to the comprehensive hospital rankings released by the Fudan University Hospital Management Institute. It is a national medical center construction unit and possesses national-level platforms such as the National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases and the National Clinical Research Center for Hematological Diseases. The hospital currently has four key disciplines designated by the Ministry of Education (Hematology, Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, Cardiology, and Neurology), 22 national key clinical specialties, and one national key laboratory for medical genomics. The hospital has been awarded the title of National Civilized Unit four times consecutively and has received honors such as the National May 1st Labor Medal and the National Advanced Collective of the Health System. It is also a national demonstration unit for integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine.

Year Founded: 1907
Beds: 5100

Southern Medical University Southern Hospital

Guangzhou · Partner Hospital

Southern Medical University Southern Hospital

Organ TransplantHematologyInternal MedicineCosmetic Surgery

The hospital is a national regional trauma medical center jointly constructed by the provincial and national governments, a national project unit for improving the diagnosis and treatment capabilities of difficult and complex diseases (tumors), a national regional TCM (rheumatology) treatment center, a national emergency medical rescue base, and one of the first key construction units in Guangdong Province's "Peak Climbing Plan" for high-level hospitals. It boasts 5 national key disciplines, 17 national key clinical specialties, and 4 national key clinical specialty construction projects. In the 2023 national public hospital performance evaluation, it ranked in the A+ category. In authoritative domestic hospital rankings, the hospital consistently ranks among the top 15 to 20 comprehensive hospitals nationwide, with more than ten specialties, including nephrology, infectious diseases, plastic surgery, hematology, pathology, and gastroenterology, ranking in the top ten or receiving nominations.

Year Founded: 1941
Beds: 2225

Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology

Wuhan · Partner Hospital

Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology

HematologyCardio-CerebrovascularUrology

The hospital ranks 9th nationwide in the Fudan University China Hospital Specialty Ranking, making it one of the strongest hospitals in Central China. Its specialties, including heart transplantation, hematology, ultrasound, nuclear medicine, anesthesiology, and cardiovascular surgery, are among the top in the country. In particular, its nuclear medicine department has consistently ranked among the top two in Fudan University's specialty rankings for many years, and its heart transplant volume has ranked first in the country for many consecutive years. The hospital is a national drug clinical trial institution and a national stem cell clinical research institution, boasting strong research capabilities.

Year Founded: 1866
Beds: 6000

Leading Specialists

Trusted Expertise Across Leading Specialties

Feng Ru

Professor, Chief Physician, Doctoral Supervisor, Deputy Director of Department, Head of Lymphoma Subspecialty

Hematology

-Research areas : pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of lymphoma and multiple myeloma, targeted immunotherapy, and leukemia. - Cutting-edge technologies: Dynamic monitoring of MRD for lymphoma and myeloma, and clinical research on new drugs for relapsed and refractory lymphomas. - Areas of expertise: Hodgkin's/non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, multiple myeloma, plasma cell diseases, lymphoma, leukemia. - Academic Highlights & Value: Visiting scholar experience in the United States and Japan; presided over multip

Affiliated Hospital Southern Medical University Southern Hospital

Sun Jing

Professor, Chief Physician, Doctoral Supervisor, Deputy Director of Department, Director of Hemophilia Center

Hematology

-Research areas : Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, bleeding disorders, and hemophilia diagnosis and treatment - Cutting-edge technologies: unrelated hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, hemophilia inhibitor immune tolerance induction program/comprehensive diagnosis and treatment of hemophilia and inhibitor management (the largest hemophilia center in South China), prevention and treatment of transplant complications. - Areas of expertise: Hemophilia, von Willebrand disease, platelet disorders,

Affiliated Hospital Southern Medical University Southern Hospital

Zhang Xiaobing

Researcher, doctoral supervisor, head of the cell gene transformation platform

Hematology

Research areas : gene editing, CAR vector design, iPSC, LNP delivery technology; Cutting-edge technologies: CRISPR gene editing CAR cells, GMP construction of lentiviral vectors; Areas of expertise: CAR vector development, gene therapy; Academic highlights: National high-level talent, multiple cell therapy invention patents; Core value: Supporting the research and clinical translation of underlying vector technologies for CAR-T and gene therapy.

Affiliated Hospital Institute of Hematology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Institute of Hematology)

Zhao Weili

Chief Physician, Level 2 Professor, Doctoral Supervisor, Director of Shanghai Institute of Hematology, Vice President of Ruijin Hospital

Hematology

-Research areas : lymphoma immunotherapy, CAR-T cell therapy clinical research, and real-world CAR-T studies in Asian populations. - Cutting-edge technologies: CAR-T stratified treatment system for relapsed and refractory large B-cell lymphoma; CAR-T adverse reaction MDT management model. - Areas of expertise: Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma, follicular lymphoma, and other B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas. - Academic Highlights: Led a multicenter real-world study of CAR-T th

Affiliated Hospital Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine

Liu Qifa

Level 2 Professor, Chief Physician, Doctoral Supervisor, Academic Leader, Director of the Institute of Hematology

Hematology

Research areas : Molecular pathogenesis of leukemia, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, tumor immunotherapy, and prevention and treatment of infections in immunocompromised hosts. - Cutting-edge technologies: Haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation; MICM precision stratification therapy for leukemia; precision stratification therapy for acute leukemia (rewriting the NCCN/ELN guidelines); combined haploidentical and umbilical cord blood transplantation (Lancet RCT); MSC prevention of G

Affiliated Hospital Southern Medical University Southern Hospital

Li Junmin

Head of Hematology

Hematology

Research areas : hematologic malignancies and hematologic immune diseases; construction of CAR-T clinical research system. Cutting-edge technology: creation of translational medicine wards and CAR-T clinical trial screening system. Specializes in treating: acute myeloid leukemia, multiple myeloma, and lymphoma. Academic Highlights: Led the establishment of China's first translational medicine ward in hematology; emphasized that CAR-T "is a novel immunotherapy that acts on the tumor microenvironment and ha

Affiliated Hospital Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine

Patient Stories

See the Next Step Through Patient Journeys

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CASE 01

PATIENT JOURNEY

Lower Extremity Arteriosclerosis Obliterans - A Masterpiece for Unblocking the "Silent Killer"

HematologyCardio-Cerebrovascular

Patient records Name: Carlos Silva Age: 70 Nationality: Brazil (São Paulo) Diagnosis: Lower extremity arteriosclerosis obliterans (Rutherford grade 4, long segment occlusion of the left superficial femoral artery, rest pain) Treatment Hospital: Department of Vascular Surgery, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine Mr. Carlos is a passionate samba dancer who, even in his seventies, still enjoys swaying to the music on the streets of Rio. However, for the past six mo

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Lymphoma : While CAR-T therapy is prohibitively expensive and has long waiting times in the West: An Australian patient found an accessible

CASE 02

PATIENT JOURNEY

Lymphoma : While CAR-T therapy is prohibitively expensive and has long waiting times in the West: An Australian patient found an accessible "cure" in China.

OncologyHematology

Patient records Name: Sarah Age: 32 Nationality: Australia Diagnosis: Relapsed/refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (R/R DLBCL), non-germinal center type (non-GCB), CD19 positive, relapsed after autologous stem cell transplantation. Treatment Hospital: Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (Tianjin) In the field of cancer treatment, CAR-T cell therapy is hailed as "living medicine," bringing hope of a cure to patients with relapsed or refractory hemat

View case details →

CASE 03

PATIENT JOURNEY

When CAR-T "Failed": How a Singaporean child found a backup plan in China Patient records

Hematology

Name: Ethan (pseudonym) Age: 8 years old Nationality: Singapore Diagnosis: Relapsed/refractory B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (R/R B-ALL), CD19-negative relapse after CD19 CAR-T therapy. Treatment Hospital: Shanghai Children's Medical Center In the field of childhood leukemia treatment, CAR-T cell therapy has brought hope to countless families. But when this "living drug" also fails, patients' families face an abyss of near despair. Ethan's story tells how we helped a family find a "backup plan" with

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Anemia (aplastic anemia, iron deficiency anemia, severe β-thalassemia)
Treatment in China

About Anemia (aplastic anemia, iron deficiency anemia, severe β-thalassemia)

Anemia (aplastic anemia, iron deficiency anemia, severe β-thalassemia) Treatment in China

Recommended Hospitals

Institute of Hematology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Institute of Hematology)

Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine

Southern Medical University Southern Hospital

Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology

Trusted Expertise Across Leading Specialties

Feng Ru

Sun Jing

Zhang Xiaobing

Zhao Weili

Liu Qifa

Li Junmin

Chen Saijuan

Pan Jing

Wang Jianxiang

Zhang Ruidong

Wu Runhui

Zhang Rui

Zhai Xiaowen

Shen Shuhong

See the Next Step Through Patient Journeys

Lower Extremity Arteriosclerosis Obliterans - A Masterpiece for Unblocking the "Silent Killer"

Lymphoma : While CAR-T therapy is prohibitively expensive and has long waiting times in the West: An Australian patient found an accessible "cure" in China.

When CAR-T "Failed": How a Singaporean child found a backup plan in China Patient records

A clear, coordinated process for efficient cross-border care

Pre-Visit Services

Remote Consultations

Travel Arrangements

Comprehensive Support in China

Post-Visit Services

Get a Care Plan
and Cost Estimate.

Get a Care Plan and Estimate

Anemia (aplastic anemia, iron deficiency anemia, severe β-thalassemia)Treatment in China

Anemia (aplastic anemia, iron deficiency anemia, severe β-thalassemia) Treatment in China

Recommended Hospitals

Institute of Hematology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Institute of Hematology)

Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine

Southern Medical University Southern Hospital

Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology

Trusted Expertise Across Leading Specialties

See the Next Step Through Patient Journeys

Lower Extremity Arteriosclerosis Obliterans - A Masterpiece for Unblocking the "Silent Killer"

Lymphoma : While CAR-T therapy is prohibitively expensive and has long waiting times in the West: An Australian patient found an accessible "cure" in China.

When CAR-T "Failed": How a Singaporean child found a backup plan in China Patient records

A clear, coordinated process for efficient cross-border care

Pre-Visit Services

Remote Consultations

Travel Arrangements

Comprehensive Support in China

Post-Visit Services

Get a Care Planand Cost Estimate.

Get a Care Plan and Estimate

Anemia (aplastic anemia, iron deficiency anemia, severe β-thalassemia)
Treatment in China

Get a Care Plan
and Cost Estimate.