Kim’s story – DLBCL & CAR T-cell therapy

Kim was diagnosed with Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma in September 2020.

Unfortunately, Kim did not initially respond to treatment. Her team at the PA Hospital in Brisbane were able to refer her to the intake team at RBWH to access the new CAR T-cell therapy. Since undergoing the transplant Kim is feeling well, and has been in remission since November 2021. Kim is now enjoying a sea-change on the Sunshine Coast, and spending time with her daughter and grandchild.

This is her experience with lymphoma and the transplant process.

Video credit: Novartis

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Please note: Lymphoma Australia staff are only able to reply to emails sent in English language.

For people living in Australia, we can offer a phone translation service. Have your nurse or English speaking relative call us to arrange this.

Useful Definitions

  • Refractory: This means the lymphoma does not get better with treatment. The treatment didn’t work as hoped.
  • Relapsed: This means the lymphoma came back after being gone for a while after treatment.
  • 2nd line treatment: This is the second treatment you get if the first one didn’t work (refractory) or if the lymphoma comes back (relapse).
  • 3rd line treatment: This is the third treatment you get if the second one didn’t work or the lymphoma comes back again.
  • Approved: Available in Australia and listed by the Therapeutics Goods Administration (TGA).
  • Funded: Costs are covered for Australian citizens. This means if you have a Medicare card, you shouldn’t have to pay for the treatment.[WO7]

You need healthy T-cells to make CAR T-cells. For this reason, CAR T-cell therapy cannot be used if you have a T-cell lymphoma – yet.

For more information on CAR T-cells and T-cell lymphoma click here. 

Special Note: Although your T-cells are removed from your blood for CAR T-cell therapy, most of our T-cells live outside of our blood – in our lymph nodes, thymus, spleen and other organs.