The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is innovating cancer care with its first programme using TIL (tumour-infiltrating lymphocyte) therapy. This programme represents a turning point in the application of advanced, personalised immunotherapy for patients with tumours that have not responded to standard therapies.
A new frontier in treatment
In this programme, lymphocyte immune cells are isolated directly from a patient’s tumour (e.g. breast or lung cancer). These cells are then expanded and activated in GMP-compliant laboratories and are sent back to the patient. It’s possible for these highly activated immune cells to target and kill cancer with incredible specificity. The concept of “living medicine” distinguishes itself from traditional treatments involving chemotherapy or radiation, which are not patient-specific and can also kill normal cells.
The UAE programme has already demonstrated the successful and safe isolation of TILs from both breast and lung tumours, thus establishing the framework necessary for eventual implementation of the treatment. This programme is implemented in association with an observational study sanctioned by the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH), with partners Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi and SEHA.
Importance
TIL therapy has already demonstrated very encouraging results worldwide, especially in the case of malignant melanoma (an aggressive skin cancer). The UAE is now moving into the next phase of immunotherapy by transforming this concept for solid tumours such as breast, lung, cervical, head and neck cancers. Development in the UAE means patients do not have to travel abroad to receive such advanced treatments, and the domestic infrastructure for cell-based therapies will be strengthened.
Strategic & National Importance
Launching this initiative just ahead of the UAE’s National Day illustrates the country’s ambition to be a local and global healthcare & research hub. To be able to isolate patient-derived immune cells, locally expand them in advanced labs, and re-infuse them, is a tremendous technical and logistical leap. It equates to more personalised medicine in oncology (tailor-making formulations for the individual) and less of a one-size-fits-all approach.
Looking Forward: What’s Next?
Now that TILs have been successfully isolated, the next steps will be formal clinical trials, wider patient eligibility, and potentially moving to engineered variants (such as T-cell receptor (TCR) engineered therapies) to allow even further specific targeting of tumour antigens. The collaborating research centres, hospitals and regulatory authorities in the UAE provide a platform for ongoing innovation in cell therapy and drug development in the field of translational cancer research.
Finally, the UAE’s first TIL-based cancer therapy program is not only an advanced medical program, but it is also a demonstration of intent that personalised and advanced cancer management is finally within reach in the region.
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