UAE begins first-ever trial for CAR T-cell therapy
The Abu Dhabi Stem Cell Center, a research institute specializing in Abou Dabi, has begun the first experiment of its kind in the United Arab Emirates and the region to study the efficacy and safety of the treatment of immunocells known as “T-cell”, using receptors for target cells in the treatment of blood cancers such as meloma, lymphoma and certain types of leukemia.
The treatment of immune cells using the targeted receptors of cancer cells (CAR T-cell) is one of the new internationally recognized technologies for immunotherapy, which employs the body’s defense system through reprogramming of immune cells, which is an essential element in the body’s response mechanism to control tumors, preparing them to carry out the tasks of searching for and eliminating cancer. These programmed cells become a live drug that moves through the body and uses the immune system constantly to attack the disease.
Dr. Fatima Al-Kaabi, Director of the Bone Marrow Transplantation Program in Abou Dabi and the main researcher participating in the immune cells experiment, expressed her pride in this achievement, the first of its kind in the United Arab Emirates and the region. She commented on the importance of this pioneering experiment, saying: “We are proud to be the first entity in the country and the region to produce and conduct this new and innovative type of treatment and research locally to better understand the effects on cancer cells. As a local institute for scientific research, we are committed to contributing to supporting Abou Dabi’s vision of building and strengthening a knowledge economy, and we continue to invest in the latest local research to ensure that the population of the country and the rest of the world receives the best possible health care.”
Immunologic cell therapy was developed using the target receptor “CAR T-cell” in partnership with the biomedical research company “Miltenyi Biotec”. It will include the use of “Apheresis”, which is a simple process of donating blood to separate components for analysis and treatment. Then, there will be a genetic modification of the immune cells of type T, which are white blood cells that are an essential part of the immune system, to attack the specific cancer cells in each patient.
Dr. Yendry Ventura, an immunologist and general manager of the Abou Dabi Stem Cell Center and a leading researcher in the clinical trial of immune cell therapy using targeted receptors, said: “Understanding the impact of T-immune cells with the targeted receptors of cancer cells on patients will be a long and arduous process, but at the same time it paves the way for a new and distinguished chapter in the history of the United Arab Emirates. These experiments will establish its distinguished place globally in the field of medical innovation, research and development. Our leading doctors and researchers globally, in collaboration with our partners in Miltenyi Biotec, will contribute to paving the way for advanced treatments for a healthier society, as well as strengthening Abou Dabi’s position as a global center for health care, innovation and research.”
Viral vectors are used in the genetic modification of immune cells, tools commonly used by molecular biologists to communicate materials and information to cells. Recently, viral means of transmission have been used for the global production of some Covid-19 vaccines containing a modified version of a different virus, “the vector”, to provide important instructions to our body cells. In the clinical experiment of immune cell therapy using targeted receptors CAR T-cell, these viral vectors are produced internationally in partnership with Miltenyi Biotec.
For his part, Dr. Robert Handgreitinger, Head of Adoptive Cell Transfusion and Head of Pediatric Services at the Bone Marrow Transplant Program in Abou Dabi, said: “Our mission is to make sure that the immune cells we modify are effectively targeting the cancer cells in every patient, so that we can help steer them on the right path to the position of extinction… Here, the importance of the role of virus vectors and the partnership with Miltenyi Biotec… Through the combination of best manufacturing practices, advanced research and expertise at the Abou Dabi Stem Cell Center, we are fully confident in our ability to achieve successful clinical trials and, ultimately, build a strong program for immuno-cell therapy using the targeted receptor “CAR T-cell” in Abou Dabi.”
The establishment of the Abou Dabi Stem Cell Center, the first of its kind in the United Arab Emirates, took place in 2019. The aim is to meet the increasing local and regional demand for the most advanced and innovative medical services and treatments in the country. Its efforts focus on providing the latest research on stem cells in the region in accordance with the highest quality standards and best levels of patient satisfaction at every step of the care journey.
