Hematology specialists gather in Abu Dhabi to advance blood cancer care

The inaugural Emirates Hematology Forum brings together leading physicians and international experts to explore transformative approaches in the treatment of blood disorders, from immunotherapies to cellular innovations.

The elegant ballrooms of Rosewood Abu Dhabi hosted a gathering of considerable significance on Saturday as the first Emirates Hematology Forum opened its doors, uniting specialists from across the UAE with internationally renowned experts in the field of blood disorders. The occasion marked a pivotal moment for the region’s medical community, bringing into sharp focus the remarkable advances reshaping the diagnosis and treatment of haematological conditions.

The forum’s programme swept across the full spectrum of contemporary blood cancer management. Sessions explored emerging treatment strategies for multiple myeloma, examining immunotherapies and antibody-drug conjugates alongside individualised approaches to sequencing treatments according to each patient’s particular circumstances and responses. Discussions encompassed advances in lymphoma and leukaemia management, including the possibility of chemotherapy-free treatment in carefully selected cases, and innovative strategies for patients whose disease proves resistant to conventional therapy or returns following initial treatment.

The agenda extended to encompass myeloid diseases, including acute myeloid leukaemia, myelodysplastic syndromes and chronic myeloid leukaemia, alongside the complexities of stem cell transplantation, Hodgkin lymphoma and the emerging complications associated with newer therapeutic approaches. As we reported earlier, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi has pioneered personalised diagnosis and strategic treatment planning for complex plasma cell disorders, exemplifying the precision medicine approaches now central to the forum’s discussions.

Dr Ajlan Al Zaki, Consultant Physician in the Hematology and Blood Cancer Department at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi and Chair of the Forum, articulated a vision of medicine in transformation. Advances in cancer treatment, he explained, are catalysing a profound shift towards immunotherapies, which have become integral to standard care for patients with haematological malignancies. The field is witnessing remarkable developments in gene therapies for non-malignant blood disorders, particularly sickle cell disease and thalassaemia. These approaches involve the modification of patients’ stem cells to restore the production of functional haemoglobin, offering hope where previous options were severely limited.

Equally compelling are the emerging developments in cancer vaccines: therapeutic vaccines designed to strengthen immune responses in patients with existing tumours, alongside preventive vaccines aimed at reducing cancer incidence. Perhaps most intriguing are the advances in disease detection and monitoring through highly sensitive tests for measurable residual disease and circulating tumour DNA analysis. These technologies enable earlier disease detection, identify patients at greater risk of relapse, and guide timely treatment decisions before clinical symptoms emerge.

What it means for Abu Dhabi

This inaugural forum reflects Abu Dhabi’s standing as a centre of medical excellence and its commitment to remaining at the forefront of haematological science. By convening local specialists with leading international authorities, the forum strengthens the emirate’s capacity to translate cutting-edge research into clinical practice, ensuring that patients throughout the UAE benefit from the most advanced approaches to blood cancer care.

For the community at large, the forum’s focus on personalised treatment strategies, innovative therapies and advanced monitoring technologies signals a future where blood disorders are managed with increasing precision and efficacy. The emphasis on gene therapies and immunological approaches suggests expanding possibilities for patients with conditions that previously offered limited hope, positioning Abu Dhabi’s medical institutions as centres of therapeutic innovation.

Source: Emirates News Agency

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