Scientists at the Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Center (ADSCC) have announced a major breakthrough in cancer treatment that could transform the way cancer patients are treated.
For the first time in the UAE, researchers at the center have successfully isolated tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) from breast and lung cancers. This advancement paves the way for the launch of the country’s first TIL-based therapeutic program.
TIL therapy is an advanced form of immunotherapy that could serve as an alternative to chemotherapy. While chemotherapy damages both healthy and cancerous cells, this method targets only cancer cells.
The treatment process involves three steps:
-
Extraction of immune cells from the patient’s own tumor.
-
Expansion of these cells in the laboratory to reach billions.
-
Reinjection of the enhanced cells into the patient’s body to selectively destroy cancer cells.
Dr. Zaima Mazoura Herra, the center’s senior scientist, described the method as a “live and personalized therapy”, stating:
“We amplify cells that already have the ability to recognize a specific cancer so they can fight the tumor more effectively. Our goal is to ensure that no patient ever hears ‘there are no other options’ again.”
