At 11:37 on March 27, Professor Zhou Jianfeng, director of the Department of Hematology of Tongji Hospital Affiliated to Huazhong University of Science and Technology, a well-known hematology expert in the mainland, died at the age of 57 due to the ineffective rescue of spontaneous coronary artery dissection
On the lymphoma patient rehabilitation communication platform, some patients posted a long tribute: "The person who brought us light is gone."
A leading figure in the field of hematological oncology in China
"A major loss in the field of hematology!" "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, Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education, top coffee in the field of hematology and tumors in China, and leader of CAR-T treatment.
Zhou Jianfeng is mainly committed to molecular diagnosis, molecular therapy and cellular immunotherapy of hematological tumors such as leukemia and lymphoma. Since 2001, as the main person in charge, he has successively presided over the National 863 Special Project, the National Outstanding Youth Fund Project, the National Natural Science Foundation of China, and the National Clinical Medical Research Center for Hematological Diseases. Outstanding achievements have been made in the precise treatment of hematological diseases.
In 1997, Zhou Jianfeng graduated from the Institute of Hematology of Tongji Medical University with a doctorate degree in hematology. In 2001, Zhou Jianfeng returned from further study in the United States, and two years later, he served as the director of the Department of Hematology of Tongji Hospital affiliated to Huazhong University of Science and Technology.
In October 2015, Zhou Jianfeng's team successfully implemented the first CAR-T therapy in central China to treat recurrent acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
With the increase in the number of cases of CAR-T therapy for leukemia, Zhou Jianfeng began a new expansion. Since 2016, Zhou Jianfeng has successfully applied CAR-T therapy to relapsing and refractory lymphoma and multiple myeloma. Leading the team has achieved outstanding results in the treatment of three common hematologic malignancies of the blood system, benefiting more than 600 patients from multiple countries and regions.
"He is one of the most talented directors of the Tongji internal medicine system." An internist in the Medical Community in Wuhan, who did not want to be named, was shocked to hear the news of Professor Zhou's death, "He is a very rare doctor with excellent clinical and scientific research, he has raised China's CAR-T treatment to an international height, so that the world can hear the voice of Chinese doctors." ”
"Confident in CAR-T's prospects in China"
Before his death, Zhou Jianfeng explained CAR-T treatment to the media image. "CAR-T treatment is to collect and isolate T cells from the blood of cancer patients, and then genetically modify them in vitro to install 'recognizers' on T cells so that they can quickly identify tumor cells." At the same time, the gene modification will also give the T cell an activation signal, so that it is like a firecracker with a lead, as long as it encounters the tumor cell, it will 'explode' and kill the tumor cell. ”
On September 3, 2021, the mainland's first Class 1 biological new drug CAR-T product Reggio Ollensay was officially approved for clinical use, and on the day of listing, Zhou Jianfeng issued the first prescription for patients in the country.
Zhou Jianfeng team
"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 media 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." Zhou Jianfeng specifically pointed out, "The whole 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." Zhou Jianfeng once said that he is full of confidence in the prospects of clinical application 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."
Colleague: He is the "pillar" of young people
At the end of January 2020, at the more severe moment of the epidemic in Wuhan, in Zhou Jianfeng's circle of friends, he was moved by the fact that colleagues in the department enthusiastically signed up for the front-line dialogue.
Zhou Jianfeng once posted a screenshot of many colleagues' invitations in the circle of friends, saying: "Respectable brothers and sisters, in the face of danger, choose to take responsibility and salute everyone!" I think this is the most beautiful place in human nature, the greatest source of strength for us to overcome difficulties. ”
However, 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 told reporters that Professor Zhou Jianfeng often posted touching deeds of colleagues, but he 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'."
Patient: The man who brought us light is gone
After the news of Zhou Jianfeng's sudden illness and death came out, many colleagues and patients expressed shock and regret.
"I've seen your back bend more and more over the years, and your white hair has become more and more numerous." On the lymphoma patient rehabilitation exchange platform, many patients' messages are moving.
A patient of Zhou Jianfeng posted a tribute: "You said that you have not seen Brother Cheetah for a long time and want to meet them." Many family members can see you in the ward, have no shelves, and often deliver medicines to patients. ”
Previously, Zhou Jianfeng worked while infusing fluids. Image source: People's Daily client
"I am particularly sad in my heart, professor Zhou's death is the loss and regret of all patients." One patient left a message.
Some patients said: "You are our spiritual pillar, the last line of defense for lymphoma patients, when it comes to CAR-T, you are the first choice for patients!" May you, who bring us light, be well in another world! The light source you leave behind will also get brighter and brighter! ”
The reporter learned that Zhou Jianfeng liked to read martial arts novels before he died, and people who knew him well called him "Big Hero". He once told reporters: "I like to face difficulties, and I hope that through continuous efforts, I will open up the last mile of the fight against tumors and be a life-saving warrior who sets standards." ”
Help the helpers, all the way!
Source: Guangzhou Daily synthesized from Wuhan Evening News, People's Daily Health Client, Yangtze River Daily
Guangzhou Daily New Flower City Editor: He Fengling