New therapies to change face of cancer treatment
Top oncologists discuss targeted chemotherapy and other treatment at UAE Cancer Congress
Targeted chemotherapy to treat malignant tumour mutations and anti-HER 2 medication for treating some forms of aggressive breast cancers are a couple of breakthrough therapies available in the UAE, top oncologists said at the 10th edition of the UAE Cancer Congress in Dubai yesterday.
Speaking to Gulf News, Dr Shaheenah Dawood, president of the Congress, and Dr Mouza Mohammad Al Ameri, oncologist surgeon and head of Al Tawam Breast Cancer Centre, said the UAE was at the forefront of cutting edge oncology treatment.
Dr Dawood said: “Apart from immunotherapy that has shown very promising results, certain other cancer trials have shown that targeted chemotherapy especially in case of multiple mutations’ tumour has shown great success.”
In her keynote address, Dr Dawood pointed out that while publishing their 12-year cancer incidence report, the Gulf centre for cancer control noted that between 1998 and 2009 there was an approximate 1.47 fold increase in the incidence of cancer among Gulf nationals with long term projections indicating a further 1.8 fold increase by 2030.
Dr Al Ameri who conducts several mastectomies and breast reconstruction surgeries, said: “I don’t think many women know that breast cancer in the early stages does not even require chemotherapy, just a lumpectomy and radiation resolves the issue. The new targeted therapies mean that women need not fear breast cancer.”
The three-day conference that ends tomorrow was inaugurated by the Shaikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance, who is also resident of the UAE Genetics Association. Humaid Al Qutami, chairman of the Board and director general of Dubai Health Authority, and Dr Mariam Mattar, founder and chairperson of the UAE Genetic Disease Association, were present.
In his address, Shaikh Nahyan said: “The UAE’s health care vision highlights the importance of information and appropriate initiatives to educate the public on prevention and lifestyle medicines. This congress is an important initiative to highlight the latest in cancer awareness, treatment, research and facilities available in our region.”
This year, the UAE Cancer Congress is featuring the launch of the first Asia Pacific Middle East Biosimilar Summit, which focuses on the practical strategies and opportunities for biosimilar drugs, while also aiming to support local and international pharma and biopharma companies.