The first experience of its kind in the region
The UAE begins studying the effectiveness of treating blood cancers with immune cells
The center combines best manufacturing practices with cutting-edge research and expertise.
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The Abu Dhabi Stem Cell Center has begun the first trial of its kind in the UAE and the region to study the efficacy and safety of immune cell therapy, known as T cells, using receptors for targeted cells “CAR T-cell” in the treatment of blood cancers, such as myeloma, lymphoma and certain types of leukemia.
Immune cell therapy using CAR T-cell receptors is a globally recognized new technology that employs the body’s defense system by reprogramming immune cells, which are an essential component of the body’s anti-tumor response mechanism, preparing them for various tasks. Searching for and eliminating cancer, these programmed cells become a living drug that travels through the body and constantly uses the immune system to attack the disease.
The Director of the Bone Marrow Transplant Program in Abu Dhabi and the co-principal investigator in the immune cell trial, Dr. Fatima Al Kaabi, expressed her pride in the achievement, the first of its kind in the UAE and the region.
She said: “We are proud of being the first entity in the country and the region to produce and conduct this innovative type of treatment and research locally to better understand its effects on cancer cells. As a local institute for scientific research, we are committed to contributing to support Abu Dhabi’s vision of building and strengthening the knowledge economy.” The CAR T-cell receptor-targeted immune cell therapy was developed in partnership with the biomedical research company Miltney Biotech. It will involve using "apheresis", a simple process of donating blood to separate its components for analysis and treatment, and then genetically modifying T-type immune cells, a type of white blood cell that is an essential part of the immune system, to attack each patient's specific cancer cells only. ."Cancer treatment remains one of the most complex and challenging medical pathways in the world, which underscores the growing need for locally developed research and therapeutic innovations," said immunologist and general manager of the Abu Dhabi Stem Cell Center, Dr. Yendre Ventura, who is the lead researcher in the trial.
He added, "Understanding the impact of T-immune cells with receptors targeting cancer cells on patients will be a long and arduous process, but it paves the way for a new and distinguished chapter in the history of the United Arab Emirates, as these experiments consolidate its distinguished position globally in the field of medical innovation and research and development."
Viral vectors are used in the genetic modification of immune cells, tools commonly used by molecular biologists to deliver materials and information to cells.
And viral vectors were recently used for the global production of some “Covid-19” vaccines, which contain a modified version of a different virus “that is, the vector” to deliver important instructions to our body cells.
In the clinical trial of T-cell therapy using CAR T-cell target receptors, these viral vectors are being produced internationally in partnership with Miltini Biotic.
• The CAR T-cell technology helps fight some types of cancer.
• programmed cells..a drug that uses the immune system to attack disease.
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