Today's Edition
SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)
An Emirati doctor is leading a groundbreaking initiative in cancer treatment - and once completed, it will significantly reduce the cost of advanced immunotherapy that could potentially cure patients with certain types of cancers.
The UAE is set to have its first local facility for manufacturing CAR T-cells, which are used in a type of immunotherapy that could cure specific blood cancers. At the helm of the initiative is Dr. Ajlan Al Zaki, Director of the Burjeel Haematology Oncology & Cellular Therapy Centre and a leading UAE specialist in CAR T-cell immunotherapy.
"We are starting to manufacture CAR T-cells locally in the UAE," said Dr. Al Zaki, who is taking part in the Make it in the Emirates forum that kicks off on Monday.
Through the CAR T-cell route, a patient's own immune system - specifically the T cells - is used to recognise cancer cell targets and attack them.
"Prior to the development of this type of therapy, patients with refractory leukaemias and lymphomas had poor outcomes. Now CAR T is a curative therapy for many of these patients and has revolutionised the treatment landscape for many haematological malignancies," Dr. Al Zaki told Aletihad.
Conducting the manufacturing process within the country "significantly impacts accessibility and affordability of these therapies", the specialist added.
The use of local talent and facilities will not only reduce costs, it will also ensure that the treatment will be available to patients as soon as possible.
"It enables us to avoid shipping and manufacturing costs abroad and provide rapid, on-site manufacturing to provide timely delivery of these treatments before patients deteriorate. It also allows us to use fresh, never-frozen immune cells, which have their own anti-cancer benefits," Dr. Al Zaki said.
Instead of having to wait several weeks for cells manufactured abroad, patients will be able to receive UAE-made T-cells within days.
"The idea is to expand access and democratise the cost of treatments, so more patients, not just a narrow subset, can benefit. What we are doing here will offer the same quality as other leading therapies worldwide, but at a fraction of the cost," Dr. Al Zaki said.
The UAE has become a leading hub for clinical and biotechnological innovation, the expert said. Such advancements not only strengthen the country's global reputation, they also mean patients no longer have to travel abroad for complex care and management of chronic illnesses.
"In fact, patients are now starting to travel to the UAE to obtain more complex care. This is all due to the vision of our leaders to cast a wider net to enable accessibility and affordability of care," he added.
Serving His Country
After years of international training, Dr. Al Zaki has returned to serve his country, and for him, the move has become a turning point in his career.
"I am honoured to be part of this movement to advance healthcare in the UAE. Individual efforts are not enough; you need to build the team and the infrastructure around it. It is exciting to help shape a healthcare system that has evolved so rapidly," he said.
His long-term vision is to see Abu Dhabi emerge as a global hub in oncology and healthcare innovation.
"The UAE can become the number one destination for treatment; not just in the region, but globally. And that includes nurturing the next generation, giving them the education, tools, and experience to build an ecosystem rooted in science, clinical excellence, and innovation."
