A revolutionary cancer treatment developed in Abu Dhabi is poised to dramatically reshape the future of oncology in the region. Burjeel Medical City has introduced a locally produced CAR T-cell therapy for blood cancers that could cut down treatment costs by up to ninety percent, positioning the UAE as a leader in medical innovation.
For UAE residents, particularly those seeking advanced cancer care closer to home, the development is a game-changer. CAR T-cell therapy, a precision treatment where a patient's immune cells are genetically reprogrammed to target cancer, has traditionally been limited to a few expensive global centres. Now, with local manufacturing and clinical expertise, patients in the UAE can access this life-saving option with reduced financial strain and without the need to travel abroad.
Dr. Ajlan Al Zaki, Director of the Centre for Haematology, Oncology and Cellular Therapy at Burjeel Hospital said that the breakthrough represents not just a medical milestone but also a major leap in healthcare accessibility for patients across the UAE and the wider region.
Dr. Ajlan Al Zaki also said that while the treatment was initially designed for blood cancers, research is expanding its application to solid tumours, including breast, pancreatic and lung cancers, as well as complex brain tumours.