From Diagnosis to Cutting-Edge Treatments – A Story of Courage, Advocacy, and Determination

n the summer of 2019, Tae, a devoted father and successful entrepreneur, sought medical attention for minor stomach discomfort. Initially dismissed as acid reflux, his symptoms worsened, leading to further tests. Just before Christmas, he received a life-changing diagnosis: stage 4 stomach cancer. The cancer had spread to his peritoneum, making it an incredibly challenging battle.

Tae immediately immersed himself in research, seeking opinions from top oncologists in the U.S. and Korea. He explored various treatment options beyond the standard FOLFOX and FLOT chemotherapy. Through persistence, he discovered a promising clinical trial at Memorial Sloan Kettering involving chemotherapy, Herceptin, and Keytruda. Unwilling to risk being placed in a placebo group, he fought to access the drugs off-trial, securing compassionate use approval for Keytruda.

His treatment journey began at City of Hope, where he underwent systemic chemotherapy and targeted therapy. Later, realizing systemic treatments often failed to reach the peritoneum, he pursued multiple rounds of HIPEC (heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy) and explored PIPAC (pressurized intraperitoneal aerosol chemotherapy). Despite temporary improvements, the cancer repeatedly resurfaced, testing his resilience.

In 2021, Tae discovered a phase 1 clinical trial for CAR-T therapy targeting CLDN18.2, a protein linked to stomach cancer. As the first U.S. patient to receive this treatment, he experienced remarkable initial success. His condition improved significantly, allowing him to create precious memories with his family. Unfortunately, the effectiveness of CAR-T therapy was short-lived, and the cancer eventually returned.

Despite setbacks, Tae never stopped fighting or searching for the next breakthrough. His advocacy within the stomach cancer community helped many patients access innovative treatments. Tae’s battle ended in September 2022, but his impact continues to inspire others.