UAE BARQ برق الإمارات – نبضك
Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Centre (ADSCC), a leading research institute in Abu Dhabi, is starting the first experiment of its kind in the UAE and region that studies the safety and effectiveness of CAR T-cell therapy in the treatment of hematologic cancers, such as myeloma, lymphoma, and certain forms of leukemia.
CAR (Chimeric antigen receptor) T-Cell therapy represents a new, internationally recognised form of immunotherapy that harnesses the body’s defense system by reprogramming T-Cells, a crucial component in the body’s anti-tumor response, to go on search-and-destroy missions to kill cancer. These reprogrammed cells become a living drug that mobilises through the body, continually tapping the immune system to attack disease.
Speaking on the significance of the clinical trial, Dr. Fatema Al Kaabi, Director of the Abu Dhabi Bone Marrow Transplant Programme and Co-Principal Investigator of the CAR T-Cell clinical trial, said, “We are proud to be the first in the UAE and region to locally manufacture this new and innovative treatment in its entirety and conduct research to better understand the effects it has on tumor cells. As a local research institute, we are committed to contributing to Abu Dhabi’s vision of becoming a knowledge-based economy and we continue to invest in cutting-edge research, homegrown, to ensure the people of the UAE and beyond get the best care possible.”
Developed in partnership with biomedical research firm, Miltenyi Biotec, the CAR T-Cell will involve the use of apheresis – a minimally invasive blood donation process that separates blood components for analysis and treatment. A genetic modification is then performed to the T-Cell, a type of white blood cell that is an essential part of the immune system, to attack only the identified tumor cells for each patient.
Dr. Yendry Ventura Carmenate, Specialist in Immunology, General-Manager of ADSCC and Principal Investigator of the CAR T-Cell clinical trial, said, “Understanding the effect of CAR T-Cells among patients will be a long and laborious process, but it also represents an incredible chapter in the UAE’s history, placing it on the world map as a leader in medical innovation and R&D. Our world-leading doctors and researchers, in collaboration with our partners at Miltenyi Biotec, are paving the path for cutting-edge treatments in the speedy pursuit of a healthier society, while establishing the Abu Dhabi as a global hub for healthcare, innovation, and research.”
The genetic modification of immune cells involves the use of viral vectors – tools that are commonly used by molecular biologists to deliver materials and information into cells. Viral vectors were most recently used for the global production of certain COVID-19 vaccines that use a modified version of a different virus (the vector) to deliver important instructions to our cells. For the CAR T-Cell clinical trial, these viral vectors are being produced internationally in partnership with Miltenyi Biotec.
Dr. Rupert Handgretinger, Head of Adoptive Cells Transfer Section and Head of Pediatric Service, Abu Dhabi Bone Marrow Transplant Programme, said, “We want to ensure that the immune cells we modify effectively target the tumor cells in each patient so we can help guide them on the path to remission. This is where the role of viral vectors and the partnership with Miltenyi Biotec is key. By combining the best manufacturing practices with cutting-edge research expertise at Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Centre, we are confident in achieving successful clinical trials and, ultimately, building a robust CAR T-Cell treatment programme in Abu Dhabi.”
