Fatima bint Mubarak Center pioneers breast cancer clinical trial in the GCC

UAE—The Fatima bint Mubarak Center at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, part of the M42 group, has become the first center in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region to participate in a groundbreaking global clinical trial aimed at reducing the recurrence of breast cancer.

Funded by AstraZeneca, the trial is exploring a new anti-estrogen drug that could potentially become the next standard treatment for breast cancer patients, depending on the study results and regulatory approval.

The trial focuses on a drug from the Selective Estrogen Receptor Degrader (SERD) class, which is designed to block estrogen receptors more effectively than current medications.

The goal is to compare this new drug with existing hormone therapies to assess its ability to reduce cancer recurrence.

Breast cancer is the second most common cancer worldwide and the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women, according to the World Health Organization.

In the UAE, breast cancer was the leading cause of cancer death in 2019, accounting for about 11.6% of cancer-related deaths annually, as reported by the Ministry of Health and Prevention.

The Fatima bint Mubarak Center, the UAE’s first dedicated cancer center, has revolutionized cancer care in the region by offering state-of-the-art innovations and advanced technologies.

The center is committed to providing compassionate, comprehensive care while conducting cutting-edge research and clinical trials.

By studying the regional population, the center is addressing health inequities, enhancing personalized care, and advancing the understanding of unique health challenges in the region.

Dr. Stephen Grobmyer, Institute Chair of the Oncology Institute at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, emphasized the importance of clinical trials, which are less common in the GCC region.

He highlighted that the center’s participation in this breast cancer trial demonstrates its commitment to offering patients the latest treatments and contributing to a global understanding of how these therapies work across diverse populations.

Clinical trials are considered the gold standard in oncology, providing essential evidence for new therapies that offer hope to those in need.

Dr. Bassel Jallad, Staff Physician in Medical Oncology & Hematology at the Oncology Institute, added that being the first site in the GCC to conduct this trial is a major milestone.

He noted that it highlights the center’s capability to conduct high-quality research and reflects the growing importance of including diverse populations in clinical trials.

This trial will evaluate a new class of anti-estrogen drugs that could significantly improve cure rates for patients with early-stage hormone receptor-positive breast cancer.

Dr. Eva Turgonyi, Medical Director at AstraZeneca GCC, expressed AstraZeneca’s commitment to reducing the risk of breast cancer recurrence and ultimately eliminating breast cancer as a cause of death.

She also stressed the company’s focus on improving health equity by including diverse populations in global clinical trials.

Modeled after Cleveland Clinic’s Taussig Cancer Center, one of the leading cancer care providers in the U.S., the Fatima bint Mubarak Center offers comprehensive cancer care in a single location.

Unlike the fragmented approach where patients visit multiple specialists across different settings, the center coordinates care around the patient.

With a team of dedicated physicians and nurses, the center ensures patients receive continuous, specialized care every step of the way.

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