The Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Center (Adscc) has successfully performed the UAE's first ovarian preservation procedure on a seven-year-old Emirati patient diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, in collaboration with ART Fertility Clinic.

The young patient, battling a relapsed and refractory form of leukaemia, faced a challenging medical condition after her disease proved resistant to initial chemotherapy and conventional treatments.

Her condition later stabilised with targeted therapy. To ensure a definitive cure, Adscc’s paediatric haematologists went ahead with a bone marrow transplant, with the patient's half-matched brother serving as the donor.

Recognising the potential fertility risks associated with the high-dose chemotherapy and total body irradiation required for the transplant, Adscc medical experts, with the consent of the patient’s parents, proactively opted for ovarian tissue cryopreservation (OTC) in collaboration with ART Fertility Clinic.

In a surgical procedure, the ovary of the young girl was removed and transferred to ART Fertility Clinic in Abu Dhabi for processing and preservation.

This advanced technique process involved cutting the ovarian tissue into thin strips, which were then treated with cryoprotective agents to protect the cells from damage during the freezing process.

The tissue is then slowly cooled and stored at very low temperatures, typically in liquid nitrogen at around -196°C (-320.8°F) for at least 20 years, with the potential for future reimplantation to restore the patient’s fertility.

OTC represents one of the latest techniques worldwide that offers promising potential for preserving fertility in the future if the ovaries are affected by chemotherapy or radiation treatment.

The ovarian preservation procedure was integrated into the patient's overall treatment plan, which included the necessary high-intensity chemotherapy and radiation treatments prior to her bone marrow transplant procedure that was crucial for curing her leukaemia.

Now, three months post-transplant, the young patient is in remission, and her fertility options are preserved for the future.

Dr Rashid Obaid Al Suwaidi, Executive Director of the Healthcare Workforce Sector at the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH) said: “Abu Dhabi’s healthcare sector has made significant strides in enhancing the health and well-being of the Emirate's community and beyond.

“Due to the sector’s pioneering strategies, advanced infrastructure and talented workforce, it has enabled us to achieve remarkable milestones such as the Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Centre latest accomplishment. 

“These achievements are a testament to the collaborative efforts of the Emirate’s healthcare facilities, who are dedicated to delivering comprehensive and timely healthcare services to the community in line with international standards and best practices.

Dr Maysoon Al Karam, Chief Medical Officer at Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Center, said: “We are proud to have successfully performed this procedure by our multi-disciplinary team of paediatric haematologists, paediatric surgeons and gynaecologists; in collaboration with ART Fertility Clinic’s fertility specialists and embryologists.

“This incredible milestone not only represents the advancements in paediatric oncology and fertility preservation but also aligns with our vision to lead in cutting-edge medical practices and patient-centred care within our Abu Dhabi Bone Marrow Transplant Programme (AD-BMT).

“By providing our paediatric cancer patients with fertility preservation options as they grow older, such as ovarian cryopreservation, we are offering solutions for female cancer patients, both pre- and post-puberty, whose treatments may impact future fertility.

“Additionally, for post-puberty male patients, we continue to explore alternative options while scientific studies advance our understanding of suitable solutions for pre-puberty male patients.”

The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi recently designated the Adscc as a Center of Excellence for Bone Marrow Transplantation in the emirate.

The centre is equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure and provides high-quality services for bone marrow and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, adhering to the best global practices based on scientific evidence.

Led by a specialised and internationally accredited team, the centre ensures the best therapeutic outcomes for patients both within the emirate and beyond.

This achievement highlights Adscc’s pivotal role in advancing regional healthcare capabilities, notably in cellular therapy research and applications across various medical fields, including oncology, haematology and reproductive health.

Dr Human Fatemi, Group Medical Director at ART Fertility Clinics, said, “Our collaboration with Adscc on this young girl’s treatment plan showcases the importance of combining expertise from different medical specialties to achieve the best outcomes for our patients.

“By working together, we were able to not only address her immediate health needs but also consider her future well-being and quality of life.

“Using the latest technologies at our IVF laboratories for ovarian preservation, this procedure marks a significant step forward in fertility preservation for paediatric cancer patients in the UAE, and we are committed to continuing our work with Adscc to provide innovative and compassionate care to those in need.” – TradeArabia News Service