The UAE has made its first Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes (TILs) cancer therapy program in a historic advancement marking a new era in the personalized treatment of cancer. The new method involves taking advantage of the immune cells of a patient to combat tumors, which leaves a new sense of hope to the patients with advanced cancers, who are no longer receptive to conventional therapies. The initiative, which was carried out within the framework of the observational study approved by the Department of Health (DoH),is a milestone in the history of oncology research in the area and the UAE can position itself as a hub of the latest medical technology.
How TILs Therapy Transforms Cancer Care
Scientists in the UAE have extracted and propagated TILs in the breast and lung tumors in the first instance in the UAE. Such specialized immune cells are cultivated in advanced laboratories and then reintroduced into the body of the patient where they go directly to the cancer cells and kill them. In contrast to chemotherapy, TIL therapy boosts the body’s own immune response in a highly personalized manner as opposed to the healthy and diseased cells that are affected by chemotherapy.
TIL treatments have demonstrated unprecedented outcomes in the treatment of melanoma across the globe and have potential in treating other types of cancer like cervical, lung and head and neck tumors. The novelty underscores the increasing role of the UAE in the development of immunotherapy around the world.
Strengthening UAE’s Healthcare Leadership
The TILs program was launched before the UAE National Day, a factor that shows the constant innovation movement and medical excellence in the country. The program, which is done in GMP-certified, state of the art laboratories, which are also internationally accredited, avoids the situation of patients travelling to other countries to access highly advanced therapeutic procedures. With assistance from the DoH, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, and SEHA, it is included in the larger mission the UAE has to develop a comprehensive cancer treatment ecosystem.
Plans are underway to gather tumor samples, carry out additional clinical research and to increase access to the eligible patients nationally. This is a step in the right direction as the UAE is leading the pack of nations aiming at improving personalized immunotherapy and reinventing cancer treatment.
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