UAE Announces Innovative Cancer Treatment
Abu Dhabi Stem Cell Center Launches Innovative Cancer Treatment, Offering Hope to Patients
The launch of the first program in the UAE for treating tumors with infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) places the center at the forefront of innovation in personalized cancer immunotherapy.
The Abu Dhabi Stem Cell Center (ADSCC) announced a pioneering medical achievement, representing a significant leap forward in cancer treatment. For the first time, it successfully isolated tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) from breast and lung tumor samples, paving the way for the launch of the first program of its kind in the UAE and the Arab world in this field.
This groundbreaking achievement is a strategic step towards developing advanced immunotherapy that utilizes the patient's own cells to fight cancer. TIL therapy is considered one of the most promising personalized treatment methods, given its exceptional results in combating cancerous tumors. This project is being conducted as part of an observational study approved by the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi.
Unlike traditional treatments such as chemotherapy, which can affect both healthy and diseased cells, TIL (Tumor Invasive Lymphocyte) therapy works by stimulating the body's natural immune system. Its mechanism involves extracting immune cells from a tumor sample, culturing them into billions of cells in advanced laboratories, and then reinjecting them into the patient's body to precisely target cancer cells.
On the same topic, Dr. Zima Mozura-Herrera, principal scientist of the TIL project at the Abu Dhabi Stem Cell Center, said: "We are turning the patient's own tumor into a personal army to fight cancer. These cells are naturally trained to recognize this type of cancer, and our role is to isolate and multiply them extensively in the laboratory, then reintroduce them into the body to perform their function effectively. It's a living therapy, tailored specifically to each patient."
This treatment has proven remarkably effective in treating melanoma and is showing promising results in other types of solid tumors, such as cervical, lung, and head and neck cancers. For patients who have exhausted their treatment options, TIL therapy (Tumor Invasive Lymphocytes) represents a new and real hope in the fight against the disease.
This announcement coincides with the UAE's National Day celebrations, embodying the spirit of innovation and progress that characterizes the nation's journey.
This achievement also underscores the Abu Dhabi Stem Cell Center's commitment to providing the latest global medical treatments within the country, eliminating the need for patients to travel abroad and reinforcing the UAE's position as a leading center for medical innovation.
The center boasts laboratories that comply with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) standards, in addition to stringent safety protocols that ensure the treatment is produced according to the highest international standards.
This achievement lays the foundation for a new phase that includes the industrial-scale production of tumor invading lymphocytes and genetically modified TCR cells, paving the way for future clinical trials. In this regard, Professor Yendry Ventura, CEO of the Abu Dhabi Stem Cell Center (ADSCC), said:
"This is not just a new treatment; it's a completely new paradigm in cancer care in the UAE and the region. By developing this treatment locally, we are providing our patients with an advanced treatment option and contributing to the advancement of global scientific knowledge. This program is a source of pride for our nation and aligns perfectly with the pioneering vision we are about to celebrate on UAE National Day."
ADSCC plans to launch clinical trials in the next phase to collect primary tumor samples, paving the way for expanding the treatment and making it available to eligible patients in the UAE through future clinical trials.
About Abu Dhabi Stem Cell Center
Abu Dhabi Stem Cell Center was established in 2018 to meet the growing local and regional demand for highly specialized medical services and treatments. It is a center specializing in providing cutting-edge stem cell and regenerative medicine therapies and conducting research on stem cells and cell therapies.
The center houses the Abu Dhabi Bone Marrow Transplant Program (AD-BMT©), the first comprehensive program in the UAE to offer hematopoietic stem cell transplantation from the patient's own blood or donor blood for both adults and children since 2020.
The center has been accredited as a Center of Excellence in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation by the Abu Dhabi Department of Health. It offers a comprehensive model of medical care that includes advanced research, clinical trials, medical care, and laboratory manufacturing capabilities.
The center also houses a cell processing laboratory, a photo-immunotherapy unit, a stem cell collection and storage unit, a Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) laboratory, specialized outpatient clinics, and a fully equipped hospital. It is equipped with the latest and most advanced medical technologies and equipment, unique in the region, and staffed by a team of internationally renowned physicians working alongside researchers.
As the first and most experienced stem cell transplant center in the UAE, the center has received numerous prestigious international accreditations and strategic partnerships, further solidifying its position as a center of excellence. It was also the first center in the country to receive accreditation from the Foundation for Cellular Therapies Accreditation (FACT) for its cellular therapy program.
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