emirates7 - The third edition of the Best of ASCO UAE Conference commenced today in Abu Dhabi. Organised by SEHA—part of the PureHealth Group—in collaboration with Tawam Hospital, the two-day event is being held at the Dusit Thani Hotel and has drawn leading oncology experts from around the globe.
Licensed by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), the conference features over 70 speakers from international, regional, and local backgrounds, including prominent oncology specialists from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the UAE.
The scientific programme includes presentations of more than 70 research papers that have played a pivotal role in shaping cancer treatment approaches this year.
Speaking to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), Professor Julie Gralow, ASCO’s Chief Medical Officer and Executive Vice President, highlighted key topics from this year’s ASCO annual meeting. These included the growing use of circulating tumour DNA for diagnostics and the integration of artificial intelligence to enhance the accuracy of tumour evaluations by pathologists.
Gralow stressed the significance of lifestyle changes in improving treatment outcomes, referencing a recent clinical trial that showed how regular physical activity after a colon cancer diagnosis significantly reduced recurrence and mortality. She recommended a combination of exercise, a healthy diet, and weight management to optimise treatment results.
She also discussed major advancements in immunotherapy, notably in antibody-drug conjugates and immune checkpoint inhibitors, which are now being applied in earlier stages of treatment and for new cancer types.
On precision medicine, Gralow explained that the approach focuses on identifying genetic mutations that drive cancer and designing therapies that specifically target those abnormalities. Many of these targeted treatments have shown strong results in combatting malignant cells.
Dr. Khalid Saeed Balaraj, Chair of the Oncology Centre at Tawam Hospital and Vice-Chair of the Conference, said the event also features more than seven specialised workshops tailored for junior doctors. These sessions aim to prepare the next generation of cancer care providers and offer them direct access to leading oncology experts.
He highlighted the availability of new, promising cancer medications that will be discussed during the event, particularly their potential inclusion in formal treatment guidelines, with a special focus on breast cancer therapies for women.
Balaraj also emphasised the significant strides made in immunotherapies and targeted treatments that specifically destroy cancer cells while sparing healthy tissues. He noted the growing shift in oncology toward personalised care, with treatment plans tailored to the biological and molecular profiles of individual patients. This approach can lead to different strategies for patients with the same diagnosis, based on how each one responds to treatment.
Additionally, Mouza Al Amri, Consultant Breast Surgeon and Acting Director of the Breast Cancer Care Centre at Tawam Hospital, announced the official launch of the Emirates Society of Radiation Oncology (ESRO). Headquartered in Abu Dhabi, the newly established society will concentrate on enhancing cancer care, continuing education in oncology, radiation therapy, and cancer surgery. She confirmed that ESRO’s activities officially began today.
Licensed by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), the conference features over 70 speakers from international, regional, and local backgrounds, including prominent oncology specialists from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the UAE.
The scientific programme includes presentations of more than 70 research papers that have played a pivotal role in shaping cancer treatment approaches this year.
Speaking to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), Professor Julie Gralow, ASCO’s Chief Medical Officer and Executive Vice President, highlighted key topics from this year’s ASCO annual meeting. These included the growing use of circulating tumour DNA for diagnostics and the integration of artificial intelligence to enhance the accuracy of tumour evaluations by pathologists.
Gralow stressed the significance of lifestyle changes in improving treatment outcomes, referencing a recent clinical trial that showed how regular physical activity after a colon cancer diagnosis significantly reduced recurrence and mortality. She recommended a combination of exercise, a healthy diet, and weight management to optimise treatment results.
She also discussed major advancements in immunotherapy, notably in antibody-drug conjugates and immune checkpoint inhibitors, which are now being applied in earlier stages of treatment and for new cancer types.
On precision medicine, Gralow explained that the approach focuses on identifying genetic mutations that drive cancer and designing therapies that specifically target those abnormalities. Many of these targeted treatments have shown strong results in combatting malignant cells.
Dr. Khalid Saeed Balaraj, Chair of the Oncology Centre at Tawam Hospital and Vice-Chair of the Conference, said the event also features more than seven specialised workshops tailored for junior doctors. These sessions aim to prepare the next generation of cancer care providers and offer them direct access to leading oncology experts.
He highlighted the availability of new, promising cancer medications that will be discussed during the event, particularly their potential inclusion in formal treatment guidelines, with a special focus on breast cancer therapies for women.
Balaraj also emphasised the significant strides made in immunotherapies and targeted treatments that specifically destroy cancer cells while sparing healthy tissues. He noted the growing shift in oncology toward personalised care, with treatment plans tailored to the biological and molecular profiles of individual patients. This approach can lead to different strategies for patients with the same diagnosis, based on how each one responds to treatment.
Additionally, Mouza Al Amri, Consultant Breast Surgeon and Acting Director of the Breast Cancer Care Centre at Tawam Hospital, announced the official launch of the Emirates Society of Radiation Oncology (ESRO). Headquartered in Abu Dhabi, the newly established society will concentrate on enhancing cancer care, continuing education in oncology, radiation therapy, and cancer surgery. She confirmed that ESRO’s activities officially began today.