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Dr. Cai Xiaoyan

Chinese name: 蔡小燕
Chief Physician, Professor . Rheumatology and Immunology
Dr. Cai Xiaoyan is the Director and academic leader of the Department of Rheumatology and Immunology at Guangzhou First People's Hospital. With over 30 years of clinical experience, she specializes in systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, vasculitis, systemic sclerosis, Sjogren's syndrome and gout, and is dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of complex rheumatic diseases.

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Coordinated end-to-end by Orisene

30+ years
Clinical experience in rheumatology
40+ papers
Peer-reviewed publications
multiple
Provincial and municipal research projects led

  • The Physician

About Dr. Cai Xiaoyan

Dr. Cai Xiaoyan, M.D., is a Chief Physician and doctoral supervisor serving as Director and academic leader of the Department of Rheumatology and Immunology at Guangzhou First People's Hospital, and is recognized as a Lingnan Famous Doctor. She graduated from Sun Yat-sen University of Medical Sciences and was a visiting scholar at the Rheumatology Research Center of Pennsylvania State University in the United States. Engaged in the diagnosis and treatment of rheumatic and immunological diseases for more than 30 years, she is skilled in managing systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, vasculitis, systemic sclerosis, Sjogren's syndrome, gout and immune-related adverse pregnancy. Her research focuses on the cellular and molecular mechanisms of lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.
1、Over 30 years of clinical experience in rheumatology and immunology at Guangzhou First People’s Hospital.
2、Director and academic leader of the Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, recognized as a Lingnan Famous Doctor.
3、Graduated from Sun Yat-sen University of Medical Sciences; visiting scholar at the Rheumatology Research Center of Pennsylvania State University, USA.
4、Author of more than 40 peer-reviewed papers in journals including Lupus Science & Medicine and the Journal of Immunology Research.
5、Chair of the Rheumatology Branch of the Guangzhou Medical Association and vice-chair of the Guangdong Medical Association Rheumatology Branch.

Dr. Cai Xiaoyan ’s Three Key Areas of Expertise

Three areas of focused expertise, each supported by a deep subspecialty team, high case volumes and an English-speaking care pathway coordinated by Orisene.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Specialized in the long-term management of lupus, including lupus nephritis and neuropsychiatric involvement, using individualized immunosuppressive and biologic therapies to control disease activity, prevent organ damage and improve the quality of life of patients living with this chronic autoimmune disease.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Focuses on the early diagnosis and treat-to-target strategies for rheumatoid arthritis, combining conventional disease-modifying drugs with biologic and targeted agents to relieve joint pain, suppress synovial inflammation, prevent joint destruction and maintain patients' overall long-term physical function and work capacity.

Ankylosing Spondylitis and Vasculitis

Diagnoses and treats axial and peripheral spondyloarthritis as well as various vasculitides, including ANCA-associated and large-vessel disease, applying imaging, biologic therapy and multidisciplinary care to control inflammation, preserve spinal mobility and prevent damage to blood vessels, vital organs and joints.

More：Sjogren syndrome——diagnosis and management; gout——treatment; osteoporosis——management; inflammatory myopathy——diagnosis; scleroderma——management; polymyalgia rheumatica——treatment

  • Clinical Practice & Publications

Selected cases, research & publications

Representative work drawn from documented clinical treatments, publicly indexed literature, and hospital project records, reflecting the depth of this physician's hands-on expertise and academic rigor.
1. Phenotypical Changes of CD4+/CD8+ T Cells in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
This study analyzed peripheral T-cell subsets in patients with active systemic lupus erythematosus. It identified expanded CD4+CD28- and CD8+HLADR+ populations linked to disease activity, and showed that specific CD8+ subsets correlated with renal prognosis, supporting their use as potential biomarkers for monitoring lupus activity and kidney involvement.
2. miR-98 Modulates Cytokine Production in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Investigating microRNA regulation in lupus, this work showed that miR-98 is reduced in patients and directly targets interleukin-6 messenger RNA. Restoring miR-98 suppressed IL-6 production through the STAT3 pathway, indicating that miR-98 dysregulation promotes the inflammatory cytokine profile characteristic of systemic lupus erythematosus.
3. Hypomethylation of Interleukin 6 and Renal Involvement in Lupus
This study examined DNA methylation of the interleukin-6 gene in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. Reduced IL-6 promoter methylation was associated with renal involvement and hypocomplementaemia, suggesting that epigenetic dysregulation of IL-6 contributes to the clinical heterogeneity and kidney complications of lupus.
4. Aberrant Gamma-Delta T Cell Phenotypes in the Onset of Lupus
Flow cytometry of circulating gamma-delta T cells revealed a lower total frequency and an imbalance between Vdelta1 and Vdelta2 subsets in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. Increased Vdelta2 and Vdelta2+NKp30+ cells were linked to disease activity and renal involvement, highlighting their role in lupus immunopathology and kidney injury.
5. Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
In a multicenter retrospective study of 342 pregnant women with lupus, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy occurred in 13.2 percent and were linked to preterm birth, intrauterine growth restriction and low birth weight. Active disease and anticardiolipin antibodies predicted these complications, and umbilical artery Doppler helped forecast adverse fetal outcomes.
6. Prolactin Increases TNF-alpha Expression in Rheumatoid Arthritis
This laboratory study explored how prolactin receptor activation regulates tumor necrosis factor alpha release from CD14 monocytes in rheumatoid arthritis. Prolactin increased TNF-alpha production, which was abolished by silencing the prolactin receptor or blocking the MAPK pathway, suggesting a hormonal contribution to joint inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis.
  • Affiliated Hospital

Where Dr. Cai Xiaoyan practices

Guangzhou

Guangzhou First People’s Hospital

Chinese name: 广州市第一人民医院
Guangzhou First People's Hospital, founded in 1899 and among Guangdong's first Grade-A tertiary hospitals, operates 2,970 licensed beds with 4,272 total staff and ranks in China's competitive top 100, with digestive, blood and spine specialties among its core strengths.
Since 1899
127 years of care
2,970
Licensed beds
2.94 million (2025)
Annual patient visits
SHARC certified
Licensed beds
View Hospital Profile
Appointments with this physician are booked through official hospital channels only, coordinated end-to-end by Orisene.
  • WHY INTERNATIONAL PATIENTS CHOOSE CHINA

Why patients travel to China for treatment

Six reasons international patients now put China on their shortlist — from internationally aligned clinical capability to the policy channels that make treatment here genuinely reachable.

Clinical capability at international standard

Chinese hospitals deliver internationally aligned protocols, performing vast volumes of advanced robotic, minimally invasive, and complex transplant surgeries annually. This massive clinical data and highly specialized workforce ensure world-class outcomes, even for rare and complex cases.

Diagnostics and treatment in days, not months

A full medical workup that typically means months of waiting elsewhere is completed in China within 48–72 hours. Imaging, labs, and multidisciplinary consultations are integrated into a single visit, allowing treatment to commence immediately.

Transparent, itemised pricing

Chinese healthcare offers legally binding, itemised cost estimates before treatment begins, eliminating hidden fees or surprise billing. Due to national centralized procurement, total expenses remain 40–70% lower than comparable care in Western Europe or North America.

Policy channels that open the door

China facilitates access through 240-hour visa-free transit and dedicated medical visa routes. Policies like the Greater Bay Area drug pathway and Boao Lecheng’s pilot zone allow designated hospitals to administer innovative therapies not yet globally approved.
  • International Patient Guide

Consulting this physician, step by step

From the first message to the follow-up after you fly home, one coordinator, no paperwork on your side.
01
Day 0
  • Share your story
    A private consultation with an Orisene advisor, by message, phone or video. Send medical records in any language. Nothing is shared with the hospital yet.
02
Days 1–3
  • Records review & matching
    Orisene translates and presents your case to the right specialist. The hospital returns a tailored care plan, with costs itemised once that plan is confirmed.
03
Days 3–7
  • Your consultation
    Appointments are booked through official hospital channels only. Your navigator accompanies every visit with real-time interpretation, so you can focus on one thing: being cared for.
04
After you fly home
  • Reports & follow-up
    Translated reports and prescriptions delivered within days, remote follow-up coordination with your physicians at home, and a standing line to your navigator.
Orisene offers English and multilingual services, a professional medical interpreter at every consultation, plus translation of your records, reports and prescriptions.

Ready to plan your consultation with Dr. Cai Xiaoyan?

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Contact

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Information Sources

This physician profile is compiled by the Orisene team from publicly available online sources and verified at the time of publication. Details may change, and physician availability is confirmed at the time of booking.

Disclaimer: This information is for general educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for personal medical guidance.

Mention of any specific product, brand, or manufacturer is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by Dr. Cai Xiaoyan.