Global Experts Gather In Abu Dhabi To Advance Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplantation And Gene Therapy

Abu Dhabi recently hosted the Fourth Emirates Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplantation and Gene Therapy Congress. This event highlights the UAE's ambition to become a leader in advanced pediatric care. The congress gathered experts in pediatric hematology, oncology, and cellular therapy, showcasing the nation's commitment to pioneering complex medical treatments.

The congress attracted over 700 delegates and 42 speakers from 30 countries, including the US, UK, Spain, France, Italy, Saudi Arabia, India, and Jordan. Institutions like Burjeel Medical City (BMC), Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, and SJD Barcelona Children's Hospital participated. This diverse gathering reflects a global commitment to advancing pediatric bone marrow transplant techniques.

The theme of this year’s congress was "An International Get-Together of Pediatric BMT Physicians to Celebrate the Success of Saving Children Globally." It emphasised collaboration among physicians, researchers, and healthcare institutions. Their collective efforts aim to advance treatments for children with rare blood disorders.

The congress featured a robust scientific program with keynote lectures, expert panels, oral presentations, and industry symposia. Key topics included gene therapy advancements for thalassemia and sickle cell disease. Discussions also covered haploidentical transplantation, CAR-T cell therapy, transplant immunology, donor stem-cell manipulation, supportive care, long-term survivorship, and regional access to innovations.

A significant focus was on the UAE's contributions to regional healthcare progress. Initiatives include developing national stem cell donor registries and collaborating with Abu Dhabi Biobank for enhanced cell therapy research. Strategies are also being developed to increase access to gene therapy across the Gulf region.

Training Future Experts

Before the main sessions began, the Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplant Course 2025 provided hands-on training for young clinicians in pediatric transplantation. Led by international faculty, it covered donor selection, stem cell harvesting and cryopreservation. Participants gained practical skills essential for strengthening regional capacity in this field.

Dr. Zainul Aabideen stated: "This congress reflects how far we have come as a region in advancing pediatric transplantation and gene therapy." He emphasised BMC's goal of providing top-notch care locally without needing families to travel abroad. The centre is enhancing research collaborations that set new standards in pediatric care.

Dr. Aabideen highlighted BMC's achievements in pediatric bone marrow transplants with survival rates exceeding 90% over three years. This success positions Abu Dhabi as a key referral destination for complex cases while aligning with the UAE’s strategy to build self-sufficiency through advanced clinical capabilities.

Delegates reaffirmed their shared goal of expanding research collaboration and accelerating access to gene therapy for children with rare disorders. The congress celebrated global successes in pediatric bone marrow transplant programmes while underscoring the UAE’s leadership role in shaping future pediatric medicine advancements.

With inputs from WAM