Professor Zhou Jianfeng, a leading figure in Car-T therapy in China, has passed away: "This time, he can finally rest"

(People's Daily health client reporter Zhang He, Zhao Yuanzhi, Wang Zhenya)

"Forever Iron Man, China's CAR-T clinical research master, Professor Zhou Jianfeng has gone all the way." "I'm sorry, Professor Zhou, I won't have a chance to send you a bigger pennant in the future." "This time, he can finally rest." ...... On the afternoon of March 27, many domestic hematology experts, relevant researchers and patients have remembered and recalled "Professor Zhou" on the social platform.

Zhou Jianfeng, Director of the Department of Hematology of Wuhan Tongji Hospital, Deputy Director of the Cancer Biomedical Center of Tongji Hospital of the Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education, top coffee in the field of hematology and tumors in China, and leader of CAR-T treatment, died of sudden coronary artery dissection rupture at noon on March 27, 2022.

On March 22, 2022, the people's daily health client "People's Famous Doctors" live broadcast column invited Professor Zhou Jianfeng to explain the clinical application of CAR-T. After the live broadcast, the staff learned that after the one-hour interview, Zhou Jianfeng's right hand had been infused with fluids.

"Before you can, send a bigger pennant"

Wuhan Tongji Hospital has a patient group called "Happy Island".

On the afternoon of March 26, a patient Who had been treated by Zhou Jianfeng, Liu Daqi (pseudonym), told the People's Daily Health Client reporter that this group of nearly 500 people, only patients in Wuhan Tongji can enter, will regularly release the latest news of some hospitals, patients will exchange conditions between patients, there are also some doctors in Wuhan Tongji, but any patient has questions, doctors will answer, in this group, are Professor Zhou Jianfeng's patients.

"Dear colleagues, it is with great pain and incivility that I would like to report to you the bad news! Professor Zhou Jianfeng, the chairman of our special committee, left forever at noon today because of the sudden rupture of coronary artery dissection and the ineffective rescue! What a jealous talent! This is a great loss for our committee and the entire hematology community! May Professor Jianfeng rest in peace in heaven! Liu Daqi told reporters that after the staff informed the group friend Professor Zhou of his death, many patients cried. Professor Zhou saved many lives. ”

Zhou Jianfeng and the patient hugged together. Courtesy of respondents

On September 16, 2021, Liu Daqi was hospitalized in Tongji, Wuhan. In the ward, a cured patient once presented Zhou Jianfeng with a pennant, and then the two people hugged each other tightly. "At that time, we were also very touched, and we thought to ourselves, when I am well, I will send a bigger pennant to Professor Zhou." After learning of Zhou Jianfeng's death, Liu Daqi wrote on Weibo, "I'm sorry, Professor Zhou, I won't have the opportunity to send you a bigger pennant in the future." ”

Another middle-aged patient, Zhou Dayu (pseudonym), who was rescued in Tongji, Wuhan, last year told the People's Daily health client that Professor Zhou insisted until two o'clock in the morning during the rescue that day. Another patient's family member said, "He was so tired that Dad cried at home when he heard the news." Without him, there would be no my father today. How many people's savior he is. ”

He is the "pillar" of all young people.

At the end of January 2020, in the darkest moment of the epidemic in Wuhan, in Professor Zhou Jianfeng's circle of friends, he was moved by the enthusiasm of colleagues in the department to sign up for the front-line dialogue. He once posted screenshots of many colleagues' invitations in the circle of friends, saying: "Respectable brothers and sisters, in the face of danger, choose to take responsibility and pay tribute to everyone!" I think this is the most beautiful place in human nature, the greatest source of strength for us to overcome difficulties. Behind these screenshots is a department director who has already joined the frontline of the fight against the epidemic without even writing the petition.

A young doctor who was one of the first to enter the red zone to fight the epidemic at the end of January told reporters that Professor Zhou often posted touching deeds of colleagues, but never mentioned himself. "At that time, the most he said was that we held on to it, so that patients could rest assured. In fact, he does not know, he is also our 'peace of mind'."

The darkest hour passes, ushering in the willow dark flowers. But for a doctor, it's a fresh start. The outbreak on the mainland is under control, but we share our experience without reservation, hoping to include a larger sample and save more COVID-19 patients around the world. In July 2020, Zhou Jianfeng and his team have been committed to the research of treating patients with severe COVID-19.

"We plan to publish the algorithm online so that peers around the world can use this formula to calculate the severity of patient cytokines and assess the risk of patients entering the ICU and the risk of death." The research of Zhou Jianfeng's team continues to this day.

"I am confident in CAR-T's prospects in China"

On September 3, the mainland's first Class 1 biological new drug CAR-T product Reggie Orensay was officially approved for clinical use, and on the day of listing, Professor Zhou Jianfeng issued the first prescription for patients in China.

"The first patient to receive domestic CAR-T treatment, Big Bear (pseudonym), suffered from double-blow diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, which was more malignant, and the survival rate of treatment with existing chemotherapy methods may only be 20%-30%." Zhou Jianfeng said in an interview with the People's Daily health client on November 18, 2021, that CAR-T therapy can be called a milestone breakthrough in the field of tumor treatment, which miraculously "cured" many cancer patients and changed the fate of patients. The world's first child leukemia patient to receive CAR-T treatment, Emily, until 9 years later, is still healthy and has not recurred, and her disease has actually reached the standard of cure.

"CAR-T is different from previous anti-cancer drugs, "It is a 'live' drug." Professor Zhou Jianfeng pointed out in particular, "The entire production process includes 38 steps, and the production cost itself is also very high." He also predicted that with the advancement of technology and technology, the price of so-called "sky-high anti-cancer drugs" will gradually decline, "but we have to go through a painful process, which takes time." ”

"This is the closest level of anti-cancer drugs in mainland China to the world." Professor Zhou Jianfeng once said that he is full of confidence in the clinical application prospects of CAR-T in China.

"The clinical application of CAR-T in China will get better and better, and it will definitely save more patients." We all believe it.