100th Bone Marrow Transplant Performed at Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Center

Photo: Abu Dhabi Media Office

Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Center Hits Milestone with 100 Bone Marrow Transplants

The Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Center (ADSCC) has reached a significant milestone by completing 100 bone marrow transplants, also known as hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, through its Abu Dhabi Bone Marrow Transplant Program (AD-BMT). This achievement underscores ADSCC’s pivotal role in advancing bone marrow transplant and cellular therapy within the UAE and the broader region.

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Accredited by the Department of Health Abu Dhabi as the first Center of Excellence in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, ADSCC’s program has been instrumental in providing life-saving treatments to patients with various blood cancers, genetic disorders like thalassemia and Krabbe disease, and autoimmune conditions such as multiple sclerosis.

The center has made notable strides in transplant technology, including:

• Performing the UAE’s first bone marrow transplant for multiple myeloma in 2020.
• Conducting the Middle East’s first bone marrow transplant for multiple sclerosis in 2022.
• Completing the UAE’s inaugural bone marrow transplant for thalassemia in 2023.
• Successfully transplanting a three-month-old baby with Krabbe disease, a rare genetic condition.

In 2023, ADSCC also introduced CAR-T Cell Therapy, the first of its kind in the UAE and the Middle East. This innovation eliminates the need for patients to seek complex treatments abroad, offering a cutting-edge solution locally.

The AD-BMT program has consistently achieved successful outcomes, including high engraftment rates and no incidence of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), with survival rates aligning with international standards. These results are complemented by ADSCC’s recent accreditation by the Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (FACT), marking a significant milestone as the first cellular therapy product processing laboratory in the UAE to achieve this recognition.

Professor Yendry Ventura, CEO of Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Center and Adjunct Professor at United Arab Emirates University, expressed pride in the program’s success. “With the support of the UAE’s visionary leadership, we’ve established advanced bone marrow transplantation and cellular therapy services in the UAE. The introduction of CAR-T Cell Therapy further broadens the scope of innovative care available to patients, setting new standards in transplant care and minimizing the need for international travel.”

Dr. Fatima Al Kaabi, Executive Director of the Abu Dhabi Bone Marrow Transplant Program and Director General of Emirates Drug Establishment (EDE), highlighted the program’s impact. “Achieving 100 transplants in just 24 months reflects our commitment to groundbreaking advancements and patient-focused care. The positive survival rates, reduced relapse rates, and improved quality of life post-transplant are testaments to our rigorous research and clinical efforts.”

In addition to its clinical achievements, ADSCC is advancing research in adoptive cell transfer (ACT), an innovative immunotherapy treatment. This involves modifying immune cells to enhance their ability to combat cancer, genetic disorders, and autoimmune diseases, with ongoing studies providing valuable insights and improving treatment protocols.