The Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Center—a specialized research institute in Abu Dhabi—has launched the first trial of its kind in the UAE and the region to study the efficacy and safety of immunotherapy using T cells with chimeric antigen receptors (CAR T-cells) to treat blood cancers such as myeloma, lymphoma, and certain types of leukemia. The CAR T-cell therapy is recognized globally as a new technology in immunotherapies, utilizing the body's defense system by reprogramming immune cells, which are essential in the body's response mechanism against tumors. This equips them to seek out and eliminate cancer, effectively turning these programmed cells into a living medication that travels throughout the body, continually using the immune system to combat the disease.
Dr. Fatima Al Kaabi, Director of the Bone Marrow Transplant Program in Abu Dhabi and a lead researcher in the immunotherapy trial, expressed pride in this pioneering achievement for the UAE and the region, commenting on the importance of the initiative. She stated, "We are proud to be the first entity in the country and region to produce and conduct this innovative type of treatment and research locally to better understand its effects on cancer cells. As a local scientific research institute, we are committed to contributing to Abu Dhabi's vision to build and enhance a knowledge economy, continuing to invest in the latest local research to ensure that residents of the UAE and beyond receive the best possible healthcare."
The CAR T-cell therapy is being developed in partnership with the biomedicine research company Miltenyi Biotec and will involve leukapheresis, a simple blood donation process to separate its components for analysis and treatment. Following this, genetic modification will be performed on the immune T cells, which are a type of white blood cells that play a crucial role in the immune system, to target specific cancer cells unique to each patient.
Dr. Yandri Ventura, an immunology specialist and the General Director of the Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Center and a lead researcher in the clinical trial, noted, "Cancer treatment remains one of the most complex and challenging medical pathways globally, underscoring the increasing need for locally developed research and therapeutic innovations. Understanding the impact of T cells with targeted receptors on cancer cells in patients will be a long and arduous process, but at the same time, it paves the way for a new and distinctive chapter in the history of the UAE, where these experiments will solidify its distinguished global position in medical innovation and research and development. Our leading doctors and researchers, in collaboration with our partners at Miltenyi Biotec, are paving the way for advanced treatments for a healthier community while enhancing Abu Dhabi’s position as a global hub for healthcare, innovation, and research."
Viral vectors are used in the genetic modification of immune cells, widely employed by molecular biologists to deliver materials and information to cells. Recently, viral vectors have been used globally for producing several COVID-19 vaccines, which use a modified version of a different virus (the vector) to deliver important instructions to our body’s cells. In the CAR T-cell immunotherapy clinical trial, these viral vectors are produced internationally in partnership with Miltenyi Biotec.
Dr. Robert Handgretinger, Head of the Adoptive Cell Transfer Division and Chief of Pediatric Services at the Bone Marrow Transplant Program in Abu Dhabi, stated, "Our mission is to ensure that the immune cells we modify effectively target cancer cells in each patient so we can help guide them on the right path to remission. This highlights the importance of viral vectors and our partnership with Miltenyi Biotec. By combining best manufacturing practices, advanced research, and expertise at the Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Center, we are fully confident in our ability to achieve successful clinical trials and ultimately build a robust CAR T-cell immunotherapy program in Abu Dhabi."
The Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Center was established in 2019 to meet the increasing local and regional demand for advanced and innovative medical services and treatments in the country. It focuses its efforts on providing the latest research on stem cells in the region, adhering to the highest quality standards and ensuring optimal patient satisfaction at every step of the care journey.
