Scientists at the Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Centre (ADSCC) have announced a landmark breakthrough in cancer research that could reshape how the disease is treated — and potentially offer an alternative to traditional chemotherapy.
In a first for the UAE, the ADSCC team has successfully isolated tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) from breast and lung cancer samples, according to the state news agency WAM. The achievement represents a major stride in the nation’s pursuit of precision medicine and advanced cancer care.
A New Line of Defence: How TIL Therapy Works
Unlike chemotherapy — which targets both healthy and cancerous cells — TIL therapy harnesses the power of the patient’s own immune system to attack tumours directly.
The process begins with the extraction of immune cells (TILs) from a patient’s tumour sample. These cells are then multiplied in a controlled laboratory setting before being reintroduced into the body. Once inside, they seek out and destroy cancer cells with remarkable specificity.
This pioneering approach is set to power the UAE’s first dedicated TIL therapy programme, paving the way for a more personalised and less harmful cancer treatment option. As described by WAM, the therapy effectively turns a patient’s tumour into a “living, personalised cancer-fighting system.”
“No More Options” Is No Longer the End
Dr Zaima Mazorra Herrera, lead scientist at ADSCC, explained that the treatment could change the outlook for patients with advanced or treatment-resistant cancers.
“Patients with advanced or treatment-resistant tumours often hear, ‘We’ve tried everything.’ What TILs offer is a new line of attack — one that is specific to the tumour we are targeting,” Dr Herrera said.
“We are taking T cells that already know how to recognise a specific cancer and giving them the numbers and strength to matter clinically. For some patients globally, this has led to tumour shrinkage even after standard therapies failed. Our ambition is to bring that same possibility here in the UAE — where ‘no more options’ is no longer the final conversation.”
Globally, TIL therapy has shown encouraging results in treating melanoma and offers renewed hope for patients with advanced solid tumours, including lung, cervical, and head and neck cancers.
Local Innovation with Global Impact
ADSCC’s success in developing this expertise locally is a major milestone for the UAE’s healthcare ecosystem. It eliminates the need for patients to travel abroad for advanced immunotherapies and contributes valuable research data to the global scientific community, said Prof Yendry Ventura, the centre’s chief executive.
Since its establishment in December 2019, the Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Centre has been at the forefront of the UAE’s medical innovation strategy — using science and technology to enhance patient outcomes across a wide range of conditions.
The centre has played a critical role in treating multiple sclerosis, various cancers, and other chronic diseases. It continues to advance promising research projects that could redefine regenerative medicine.
Beyond Cancer: Progress in Regenerative Medicine
Earlier this year, ADSCC researchers reported encouraging progress in their mission to find a cure for Type 1 diabetes. Working in collaboration with Kyoto University and the biotechnology firm Rege Nephro, scientists are developing a method to regenerate the pancreas using engineered stem cells.
“We’re very optimistic that within the next couple of years, we’ll have something solid to offer patients,” said Prof Ventura.
“This isn’t just stem cell therapy — it’s a way to regenerate the pancreas itself using a specific type of engineered cell.”
The Future of Healthcare in the UAE
The ADSCC’s cancer breakthrough underscores Abu Dhabi’s growing role as a global centre for medical innovation. By combining advanced cell therapy, immunology, and regenerative science, the UAE is accelerating its transition toward a precision-medicine-driven healthcare system — one that treats each patient as unique.
If successful in wider clinical trials, TIL therapy could not only reduce the devastating side effects associated with chemotherapy but also provide renewed hope to patients once considered untreatable.
With this breakthrough, Abu Dhabi is not just fighting cancer — it is redefining the future of medicine.
