Burjeel Medical City pioneers affordable CAR T-Cell therapy for blood cancers in UAE

UAE—Burjeel Medical City in Abu Dhabi has announced a groundbreaking development in cancer treatment with the creation of an innovative CAR T-cell therapy for blood cancers.

This new therapy has the potential to reduce treatment costs by up to 90%, making advanced cancer care more affordable and accessible in the region.

This medical breakthrough is a major milestone for the UAE’s efforts to localize biopharmaceutical manufacturing and strengthen its position as a regional hub for cellular therapies and medical innovation.

By producing this cutting-edge treatment locally, the UAE aims to boost both healthcare quality and economic security.

Dr. Ajlan Al Zaki, Director of the Centre for Haematology, Oncology and Cellular Therapy at Burjeel Hospital, shared insights about the therapy during the Make it in the Emirates forum at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC).

He described the event as an ideal platform to introduce this advanced treatment to regional and international audiences.

The CAR T-cell therapy process involves collecting T-cells from a patient’s blood, then genetically modifying these cells in a laboratory so they can recognize and attack cancer cells.

After this modification, the engineered cells are reinfused into the patient’s body to target and destroy the cancer.

 This personalized approach represents a significant shift in cancer care, offering hope for patients with difficult-to-treat blood cancers like leukemia and lymphoma.

Dr. Al Zaki emphasized that the ability to manufacture CAR T-cells locally not only reduces costs dramatically but also opens opportunities for exporting this technology to other countries in the region and beyond.

This aligns with the UAE’s vision to build a knowledge-based economy supported by science and biotechnology.

Highlighting the success of Burjeel Medical City, Dr. Al Zaki noted that reducing treatment costs by up to 90% is unprecedented in the Middle East, reinforcing the UAE’s reputation as a center for advanced medical therapies.

This achievement also encourages greater global scientific collaboration and reflects the country’s rapid progress in healthcare innovation.

With a background including research and clinical roles at prestigious institutions like Stanford University and MD Anderson Cancer Center, Dr. Al Zaki is committed to using his expertise to make effective, affordable cancer treatments widely available across the UAE and neighboring regions.

He also aims to raise awareness about CAR T-cell therapy’s benefits and potential.

While the therapy currently targets blood cancers, ongoing research is exploring its use against solid tumors such as breast, pancreatic, and lung cancers, as well as complex brain tumors like glioblastoma.

 Additionally, the therapy shows promise for treating metastatic cancers that do not respond well to conventional treatments.

Dr. Al Zaki also highlighted the increasing role of artificial intelligence in analyzing genetic data and identifying precise molecular targets for treatment.

 Advanced gene-editing technologies like CRISPR are being used to improve the engineering of therapeutic cells, further enhancing treatment effectiveness.

The UAE’s collaborative efforts with scientific partners and nonprofit organizations, such as Caring Cross, aim to expand the local production of these therapies.

This strategy ensures that CAR T-cell treatments become more widely accessible across regional medical centers, rather than being limited to a few specialized global facilities.

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