Abu Dhabi Doctors Pioneer CAR-T Cell Therapy for Severe Lupus in Regional First

Doctors in Abu Dhabi have achieved a regional medical breakthrough by successfully treating a patient with severe lupus (search)Search disease using CAR-T cell therapy (search)Search drug, marking the first time this cancer treatment has been repurposed for autoimmune disease in the Middle East. The 38-year-old male patient, who had been battling life-threatening lupus complicated by antiphospholipid syndrome (search)Search disease, has shown early signs of recovery following the innovative treatment.

Groundbreaking Treatment for Complex Case

The patient presented with a particularly challenging medical situation, suffering from severe lupus (search)Search disease—a disease where the body's immune system attacks its own tissues—alongside a rare clotting disorder called antiphospholipid syndrome (search)Search disease. His condition was further complicated by repeated blood clots and internal bleeding that had not responded to conventional drug treatments.

Specialists at Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Centre (search)Search term (ADSCC) and Yas Clinic Khalifa City (search)Search term opted for CAR-T therapy after exhausting standard treatment options. The breakthrough treatment works by re-engineering a patient's own immune cells (search)Search target so they can attack the disease, a process more commonly used in cancer treatment.

Early Signs of Success

Following the CAR-T therapy, the patient has demonstrated early signs of improvement and immune reset. He has been discharged from the hospital but will remain under close, long-term monitoring through a multidisciplinary plan to track remission and reduce clotting risks.

"The successful delivery of CAR-T therapy in this case reflects a bold step forward in treating severe autoimmune conditions," said Professor Yendry Ventura, CEO of ADSCC. "It is the result of years of commitment to research, innovation, and patient-centred care."

Regional Healthcare Milestone

Dr. Maysoon Al Karam, Chief Medical Officer at Yas Clinic Khalifa City (search)Search term, described the achievement as "a transformative milestone in regional healthcare." She emphasized that the collaboration between ADSCC and Yas Clinic demonstrates how "innovation meets compassionate care," adding that "together, we are redefining treatment standards for autoimmune diseases and offering new hope to patients who have exhausted conventional therapies."

Advancing Medical Innovation in the UAE

The successful procedure highlights Abu Dhabi's growing role as a hub for advanced medical innovation, aligning with the UAE's broader ambitions to position itself as a global leader in healthcare. ADSCC has established itself as the UAE's leading center for stem cell therapy and regenerative medicine since launching the country's first comprehensive bone marrow transplant program in 2020.

The facility operates as the only center in the UAE with a fully integrated stem cell collection, processing, and clinical care model. In 2024, its cellular therapy processing laboratory received accreditation from the Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (FACT)—a first in the UAE and one of only two in the region.

Future Implications for Autoimmune Treatment

This case represents a turning point for patients in the region suffering from severe autoimmune conditions, for whom treatment options are often limited. While CAR-T therapy remains in trial phases for non-cancer conditions, it is being closely studied worldwide as a potential new approach for addressing chronic diseases that are resistant to conventional therapies.

The successful application of this treatment reflects broader national efforts to place the UAE at the forefront of medical innovation, particularly in areas like regenerative medicine, advanced therapies, and personalized care.