A young leukaemia patient has been injected with the UAE’s first Car-T cells or supercharged genetically modified cells to fight cancer, doctors have said.
Murad, 11, was diagnosed with leukaemia more than five years ago and had been in remission but the disease returned six months ago.
He underwent chemotherapy but did not respond to the treatment. The doctors recommended the revolutionary Car-T cell therapy as his only option.
The child received the breakthrough therapy at the Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Centre, which has successfully manufactured the country’s first Car-T cells.
It involved helping the patient’s immune system to target and fight the cancer and is designed for patients whose cancer has returned.
During the procedure, doctors remove a type of immune system cell called the T-cell from the patient’s blood. These cells are genetically modified, strengthened in the laboratory and then injected back intravenously into the patient where the cells continue to multiply.
The treatment took five weeks during which Murad was admitted to the centre.
Cancer heroes
Murad is now in good health and back home with his family.
Majid, Murad’s father, said the family did not hesitate when the treatment was offered to their eldest child.
“We were devastated when Murad was diagnosed again with leukaemia after almost five years of remission,” said Majid.
“We are truly lucky that this very advanced breakthrough became available at this time when Murad needed it.
“A word of thanks is not enough to the whole team at ADSCC who helped Murad come back home.
“We wish all children good health and for those fighting cancer you are true heroes.”
Hope for patients
Dr Yendry Ventura, chief executive of ADSCC, said there was a pressing need to make Car-T cells available in the UAE.
“We’re truly thrilled to see Murad doing well,” he said.
“Our success in creating Car-T therapy right here in Abu Dhabi marks a momentous leap in our commitment to making a profound impact on a regional level.
“This achievement not only brings hope to countless patients but also strengthens our position as pioneers in cutting-edge medical innovation, right here in the heart of the UAE.”
The centre aims to revolutionise cancer treatment by using cell therapy so genetically modified immune cells can be used to target tumours in patients with specific blood cancer.
“Bringing in such advancements, providing unparalleled care to complex cases, conducting clinical trials and research will help elevate the healthcare sector and serve humanity tackling prevalent diseases and health problems,” Dr Ventura said.
The centre is a Pure Health subsidiary and the procedure involved the manufacture of the Car-T at ADSCC’s Good Manufacturing Practices laboratories.
Proud moment
The US Food and Drug Administration has approved some Car-T cell therapies to treat blood cancers but due to the sensitivity of manufacturing, access was limited for cancer patients in the Middle East.
Dr Fatima Al Kaabi, executive director of Abu Dhabi Bone Marrow Transplant Programme at ADSCC, said researchers, scientists and physicians at the centre had devoted the past year to prepare for the launch of the cutting-edge therapy.
“With Murad’s condition not responding to chemotherapy, our haematologists and scientists worked closely with Murad’s treating physicians at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City for a smooth transfer to ADSCC to receive Car-T cell therapy, the only effective treatment for his condition,” she said.
“It is a proud moment for us all as we see Murad returning back to his home and family. The launch of such an advanced technology in the country solidifies the UAE’s position as a global destination for medical advancement.”
Dr Noura Khamis Al Ghaithi, undersecretary of the Department of Health - Abu Dhabi, said continuous research has helped to improve the health of the community and ensure the emirate was a leading healthcare destination.
RESULTS
Bantamweight:
Zia Mashwani (PAK) bt Chris Corton (PHI)
Super lightweight:
Flavio Serafin (BRA) bt Mohammad Al Khatib (JOR)
Super lightweight:
Dwight Brooks (USA) bt Alex Nacfur (BRA)
Bantamweight:
Tariq Ismail (CAN) bt Jalal Al Daaja (JOR)
Featherweight:
Abdullatip Magomedov (RUS) bt Sulaiman Al Modhyan (KUW)
Middleweight:
Mohammad Fakhreddine (LEB) bt Christofer Silva (BRA)
Middleweight:
Rustam Chsiev (RUS) bt Tarek Suleiman (SYR)
Welterweight:
Khamzat Chimaev (SWE) bt Mzwandile Hlongwa (RSA)
Lightweight:
Alex Martinez (CAN) bt Anas Siraj Mounir (MAR)
Welterweight:
Jarrah Al Selawi (JOR) bt Abdoul Abdouraguimov (FRA)
MATCH INFO
Manchester City 1 (Gundogan 56')
Shakhtar Donetsk 1 (Solomon 69')
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
New UK refugee system
- A new “core protection” for refugees moving from permanent to a more basic, temporary protection
- Shortened leave to remain - refugees will receive 30 months instead of five years
- A longer path to settlement with no indefinite settled status until a refugee has spent 20 years in Britain
- To encourage refugees to integrate the government will encourage them to out of the core protection route wherever possible.
- Under core protection there will be no automatic right to family reunion
- Refugees will have a reduced right to public funds
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1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
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1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
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7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
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Mercedes-GP Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas; Ferrari Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen; Red Bull Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen; Force India Esteban Ocon and Sergio Perez; Renault Nico Hülkenberg and Carlos Sainz Jr; Williams Lance Stroll and Felipe Massa / Robert Kubica / Paul di Resta; McLaren Fernando Alonso and Stoffel Vandoorne; Toro Rosso TBA; Haas F1 Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen; Sauber TBA
Skoda Superb Specs
Engine: 2-litre TSI petrol
Power: 190hp
Torque: 320Nm
Price: From Dh147,000
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Opening on October 15 and running until November 15, the free exhibition opens at The Galleria mall on Al Maryah Island, and has already been seen at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum in Atlanta, the American Museum of Natural History in New York, and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
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- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
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Western Region Asia Cup T20 Qualifier
Sun Feb 23 – Thu Feb 27, Al Amerat, Oman
The two finalists advance to the Asia qualifier in Malaysia in August
Group A
Bahrain, Maldives, Oman, Qatar
Group B
UAE, Iran, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia
UAE group fixtures
Sunday Feb 23, 9.30am, v Iran
Monday Feb 25, 1pm, v Kuwait
Tuesday Feb 26, 9.30am, v Saudi
UAE squad
Ahmed Raza, Rohan Mustafa, Alishan Sharafu, Ansh Tandon, Vriitya Aravind, Junaid Siddique, Waheed Ahmed, Karthik Meiyappan, Basil Hameed, Mohammed Usman, Mohammed Ayaz, Zahoor Khan, Chirag Suri, Sultan Ahmed
Emergency
Director: Kangana Ranaut
Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Milind Soman, Mahima Chaudhry
Rating: 2/5
Race%20card
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