The launch of the UAE’s first Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes (TILs) program positions ADSCC at the forefront of personalized cancer immunotherapy.

In a landmark announcement leading up to the UAE’s National Day, the Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Center (ADSCC) has revealed a major leap forward in cancer treatment, having successfully isolated Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes (TILs) from breast and lung tumors for the first time.

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This pioneering achievement marks the launch of the UAE’s first program to develop a powerful new form of immunotherapy using a patient’s own cells to fight cancer. This first-in-the-region initiative focuses on Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes (TILs) therapy, a highly personalized treatment that has shown remarkable success in tackling aggressive cancers. This project operates under a DOH-approved observational study.

Unlike traditional treatments like chemotherapy, which can indiscriminately affect both healthy and cancerous cells, TILs therapy supercharges the body’s natural defenses. It involves extracting a patient’s immune cells from a tumor sample, growing billions of them in a state-of-the-art laboratory, and then reinfusing them back into the patient to precisely target and destroy cancer cells.

“We are turning a patient’s own tumor into a personalized cancer-fighting army,” said Dr. Zaima Mazorra Herrera, a lead scientist on the TILs project at ADSCC. “These cells are naturally trained to recognize that specific cancer. Our job is to isolate them, expand their numbers exponentially in our labs, and then reinfuse them so they can do their job effectively. It’s a living therapy, tailored to the individual.”

The therapy has demonstrated particularly strong results in treating melanoma, a serious form of skin cancer, and holds significant promise for other solid tumors such as cervical, lung, and head and neck cancers. For many patients with advanced cancer who have exhausted other options, TILs therapy represents a beacon of new hope.

Announced in the spirit of the National Day, which celebrates the nation’s spirit of innovation and progress, this milestone underscores ADSCC’s commitment to bringing world-class, innovative medical solutions to the UAE. This initiative eliminates the need for patients to travel abroad for cutting-edge care, keeping the UAE at the forefront of medical advancement. The Center’s upgraded GMP-compliant laboratories and stringent safety protocols ensure the therapy is produced to the highest international standards.

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This achievement lays the foundation for GMP-scale production of TILs and TCR-engineered T cells and future clinical trials.

“This isn’t just a new treatment; it’s a new paradigm for cancer care in the UAE and the wider region,” said Prof. Yendry Ventura, Chief Executive Officer at ADSCC. “By building this capability locally, we are not only offering our patients a powerful new weapon against cancer but also contributing valuable data to the global scientific community. This program solidifies our role as a leader in medical innovation and marks a proud moment for the nation, perfectly aligning with the pioneering vision we celebrate during our National Day.”