Cancer Treatment Centers in China: Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou
China has three verifiable advantages for international cancer patients: NMPA-approved CAR-T therapies at lower cost than the US, a growing clinical trial ecosystem for cell and gene therapies, and proton therapy capacity. The right city depends on your cancer type and the specific therapy you need — not on a single “best hospital” ranking.
Prepared by: CancerCareE Editorial Team Last updated: 2026-11-02 6 sources
🎯 Quick Answer
For CAR-T therapy (approved or trial), the key centers are in Beijing and Shanghai. For solid tumor CAR-T, Shanghai Jiahui International Cancer Center treated the world's first international patient with Satri-cel (approved June 2026 for gastric/GEJ cancer)[citation:6]. For proton therapy, Shanghai is the primary operating city. For international patient services with English-speaking staff, Beijing United Family Hospital and Shanghai Jiahui are the most established private options. Guangzhou has strong public hospital international departments, but private international oncology infrastructure is less developed than Beijing/Shanghai. Verify every claim about “availability” directly with the hospital's international office before traveling.
⚠️ What this page does NOT do
We do not list star ratings, “survival rate” percentages, or “cost ranges” without a stated treatment and source. These numbers cannot be verified from a primary source and mislead patients. Instead, we list verifiable facts: NMPA approvals, published treatment milestones, and official international patient service designations.
🇨🇳 Beijing: Hematologic CAR-T and Cell Therapy Research
Best for: Blood cancers (leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma) and access to early-phase cell therapy trials.
Beijing is home to some of China's highest-volume hematology centers and a dense ecosystem of investigator-initiated CAR-T trials. The city also has China's most established private international hospital for Western-standard oncology care.
Centers with verifiable capabilities
- Peking University People's Hospital (PKUPH) — One of China's leading hematology centers. Historically active in CAR-T clinical research for leukemia and lymphoma. Verify current trial status on ClinicalTrials.gov or ChiCTR before contacting.
- Beijing United Family Hospital (BJU) — JCI-accredited since 2005, with American/European board-certified oncologists and full English-language care. CAR-T is available via referral to partner centers, not directly on-site[citation:12]. This is the most established option for international patients who prioritize English-language continuity of care over direct CAR-T access.
Practical note: Beijing's public hospitals have international departments, but English-language coordination varies by department. For direct CAR-T access at a public hospital, a Chinese-speaking coordinator or the hospital's international office is typically required.
🇨🇳 Shanghai: Solid Tumor CAR-T, Proton Therapy, and International Patient Infrastructure
Best for: Solid tumor CAR-T (gastric/GEJ cancer), proton therapy, and the most developed international patient service standards in China.
Shanghai has China's first local standard for international medical services (published 2024), and 22 public hospitals are designated pilot units for international medical tourism[citation:2]. In 2025, Shanghai public hospitals served 73,200 foreign patients[citation:2].
Centers with verifiable capabilities
- Shanghai Jiahui International Cancer Center (JICC) — Treated the world's first international patient with Satri-cel (CT041), the NMPA-approved solid tumor CAR-T for CLDN18.2-positive gastric/GEJ cancer. The patient was from New Zealand and completed leukapheresis in July 2026[citation:6][citation:14]. JICC has an International Patient Office with multilingual coordination. This is the most directly relevant center for international patients seeking solid tumor CAR-T.
- Ruijin Hospital (Shanghai Jiao Tong University) — Historically active in CAR-T clinical trials for hematologic malignancies. The China-SCO Cooperation Center for Metabolic Diseases launched at Ruijin in 2026[citation:10], but this is not oncology-specific. Verify CAR-T trial status directly.
- Shanghai Proton and Heavy Ion Center — China's operating proton therapy center. Verify current capacity and international patient acceptance directly. Note: The 2025 NMPA equipment license list includes other hospitals approved to install proton/heavy ion systems, but approval to install does not equal operational availability[citation:8].
🇨🇳 Guangzhou: Public Hospital International Services and CAR-T Trials
Best for: Access to high-volume public cancer centers with international patient departments, and CAR-T clinical trials for lymphoma.
Guangdong Province designated 25 pilot hospitals for international medical services in early 2026[citation:3]. Guangzhou's international medical outpatient volume reached nearly 90,000 visits in the first half of 2026, up ~20% year-on-year, serving patients from 133 countries[citation:11].
Centers with verifiable capabilities
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center (SYSUCC) — One of China's largest cancer centers. Historically active in CAR-T clinical trials for lymphoma. Verify current trial status directly. SYSUCC is a public hospital; international patient services exist but English-language coordination may require a local coordinator.
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University (FAH-SYSU) — Has a dedicated international medical center at its Nansha campus with 150 beds and 17 consultation rooms[citation:3]. Services include oncology-related specialties. This is the most structured international patient facility in Guangzhou, though it is a general hospital, not a cancer-specific center.
Practical note: Guangzhou's strength is public hospital volume and the Greater Bay Area “Hong Kong and Macao Medicine and Device Connect” policy, which allows approved hospitals to use drugs/devices already approved in Hong Kong/Macao[citation:3]. If your treatment requires a specific drug not yet NMPA-approved, this pathway may be relevant — verify with the hospital.
What is verifiably available in each city
| Factor | Beijing | Shanghai | Guangzhou |
|---|---|---|---|
| Approved CAR-T (hematologic) | Via referral (BJU); direct at public centers — verify | Available at multiple centers — verify specific product | Available at public centers — verify |
| Approved solid tumor CAR-T (Satri-cel) | Not verified as first-line access | Yes — Jiahui treated first international patient[citation:6] | Not verified |
| Proton therapy | Equipment licenses granted, not verified operational for international patients | Shanghai Proton Center — verify capacity | Not verified |
| English-language international dept. | BJU (private, JCI) — most established[citation:12] | Jiahui (private) + 22 public pilot units[citation:2] | FAH-SYSU Nansha + 25 pilot hospitals[citation:3] |
| Published international patient volume | Not found in search | 73,200 foreign patients in 2025[citation:2] | ~90,000 international outpatient visits H1 2026[citation:11] |
Questions to ask any center before committing
- “Is the specific therapy I need approved by NMPA, or trial-only?” — If trial-only, ask for the NCT or ChiCTR number and verify recruiting status yourself.
- “For CAR-T: does your center perform the apheresis and infusion on-site, or refer out?” — Referral adds coordination complexity and delay.
- “How many international patients with my cancer type have you treated in the last 12 months?” — Not total patients; your specific cancer.
- “What is the all-in cost estimate, broken down by apheresis, manufacturing, infusion, hospitalization, and follow-up?” — A single “cost range” is not actionable.
- “Who coordinates my care in English, and what is their contact?” — Ask for a named coordinator, not a general email.
Frequently asked questions
Can international patients access CAR-T in China?
Yes, at centers with international patient offices. For hematologic CAR-T (lymphoma, myeloma, leukemia), multiple NMPA-approved products are available at major centers in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou — but availability varies by hospital and product. For solid tumor CAR-T, Satri-cel (CT041) was approved in June 2026 for CLDN18.2-positive gastric/GEJ cancer, and Shanghai Jiahui has treated an international patient[citation:6]. Verify directly with the hospital's international office before making travel plans.
How much does CAR-T cost in China compared to the US?
Approved CAR-T product prices in China range from approximately USD 135,000 to USD 226,000 for domestically developed products, and up to USD 465,000 for CARVYKTI (ciltacabtagene autoleucel), according to a 2025 published table. These are product prices, not total treatment costs. US CAR-T total costs are typically higher. Ask the hospital for a full cost breakdown including apheresis, manufacturing, hospitalization, and follow-up.
Is TIL therapy available in China?
TIL (tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte) therapy is not NMPA-approved for routine clinical use in China. It may be available only through clinical trials. Search ClinicalTrials.gov and ChiCTR for “TIL” + “China” + “recruiting” to find active trials. Do not assume a center offers TIL unless they provide a trial registration number you can verify.
Is NK cell therapy available?
NK cell therapy is not NMPA-approved as a standard cancer treatment in China. Some clinics in the Hainan Boao pilot zone may offer NK cell preparations under special regulatory pathways, but these are not equivalent to approved therapies and clinical evidence varies. Verify regulatory status and published data before considering this option.
Do I need a visa for medical treatment in China?
Most nationalities require a visa. Some nationalities (including New Zealand, as noted in the Jiahui patient case[citation:14]) have visa-free entry for short stays. Check the Chinese embassy website for your nationality. For treatment lasting more than 30 days, a medical visa (S2 or M) with an invitation letter from the hospital is typically required.
Sources
- Shanghai Municipal Health Commission — International medical service pilot program and 2025 foreign patient volume. english.shanghai.gov.cn
- Guangzhou Municipal Government — Guangdong 25 pilot hospitals for international medical services. gz.gov.cn
- Jiahui International Cancer Center — World's first international patient receives Satri-cel (CT041). jicc.jiahui.com
- ISCT Cytotherapy (2025) — Table of CAR-T product approvals and prices in China. isct-cytotherapy.org
- Beijing United Family Hospital — JCI accreditation and oncology services. cancercaree.com
- National Health Commission (China) — 2025 Class A medical equipment license results (proton/heavy ion installations). jkb.com.cn
Need help organizing your questions?
CancerCareE can help you prepare a checklist of questions to ask any center's international office. We do not provide medical advice and do not receive medical records.
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