emirates7 - The 2025 Best of ASCO UAE Conference, organised by SEHA—a member of the PureHealth Group—in collaboration with Tawam Hospital, wrapped up today following two days of comprehensive sessions on the latest advances in cancer diagnosis and treatment.
The event brought together prominent oncology specialists from around the world to share knowledge and explore cutting-edge scientific and technological breakthroughs in the field.
Now in its third edition, the conference featured expert-led discussions spanning key oncology areas, including breast cancer, gastrointestinal malignancies, and gynaecologic tumours. It also addressed recent progress in immunotherapy, targeted treatment approaches, and innovations in early detection and diagnostic tools.
Professor Debu Tripathy, Chair of the Department of Breast Medical Oncology at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, told the Emirates News Agency (WAM) that his presentation focused on new research targeting oestrogen receptors, which play a crucial role in breast cancer progression.
“We are seeing a major shift with the development of therapies that go beyond traditional hormonal treatments,” he said. “These include advanced targeted drugs like CDK inhibitors and PI3 kinase inhibitors, which are significantly changing the treatment landscape for advanced breast cancer.”
Professor Tripathy added that these therapies are now being explored for use in earlier stages of the disease and in adjuvant settings. He presented promising data suggesting that these treatments may reduce relapse rates and, potentially, lower mortality in the future—though more research is needed.
He described the outcomes from ribociclib as particularly promising, along with encouraging results for abemaciclib, both of which potential to improve patient survival.
Tripathy also highlighted advances in circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) technology, which allows physicians to monitor genetic changes through blood tests. This could enable earlier treatment adjustments before the disease visibly progresses—a topic he described as a central focus of this year’s event.
He stressed the significance of hosting such conferences in the Middle East, where breast cancer patients are typically younger than in Western populations. This, he noted, underscores the need for region-specific research and treatment strategies.
Meanwhile, Dr. Faisal Alterkait, Consultant Medical Oncologist and Head of the Breast Cancer Unit at Kuwait Cancer Center, discussed a recent study on HER2-positive breast cancer presented at the conference. He noted that the findings suggest it may be possible to reduce the use of traditional chemotherapy drugs like carboplatin in early-stage patients by combining targeted therapies such as Herceptin and Perjeta, without sacrificing effectiveness.
“This research marks a potential change in treatment practices that could enhance patients’ quality of life,” Dr. Alterkait said. “We hope to implement these insights into clinical practice in Kuwait.”
He also underscored the importance of ongoing collaboration across the GCC and UAE, particularly given that breast cancer tends to affect younger women in the region. While the average age of high-risk patients in the US and Europe is around 64, many cases in the Gulf are diagnosed before age 40.
Dr. Alterkait advocated for expanded early screening programmes for women under 40, emphasizing that early detection can raise survival rates above 90 percent when the disease is caught early. He warned that delays in screening can lead to more advanced disease and complex treatment challenges.
He concluded by reaffirming that early detection remains the most crucial element in the fight against breast cancer.
The event brought together prominent oncology specialists from around the world to share knowledge and explore cutting-edge scientific and technological breakthroughs in the field.
Now in its third edition, the conference featured expert-led discussions spanning key oncology areas, including breast cancer, gastrointestinal malignancies, and gynaecologic tumours. It also addressed recent progress in immunotherapy, targeted treatment approaches, and innovations in early detection and diagnostic tools.
Professor Debu Tripathy, Chair of the Department of Breast Medical Oncology at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, told the Emirates News Agency (WAM) that his presentation focused on new research targeting oestrogen receptors, which play a crucial role in breast cancer progression.
“We are seeing a major shift with the development of therapies that go beyond traditional hormonal treatments,” he said. “These include advanced targeted drugs like CDK inhibitors and PI3 kinase inhibitors, which are significantly changing the treatment landscape for advanced breast cancer.”
Professor Tripathy added that these therapies are now being explored for use in earlier stages of the disease and in adjuvant settings. He presented promising data suggesting that these treatments may reduce relapse rates and, potentially, lower mortality in the future—though more research is needed.
He described the outcomes from ribociclib as particularly promising, along with encouraging results for abemaciclib, both of which potential to improve patient survival.
Tripathy also highlighted advances in circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) technology, which allows physicians to monitor genetic changes through blood tests. This could enable earlier treatment adjustments before the disease visibly progresses—a topic he described as a central focus of this year’s event.
He stressed the significance of hosting such conferences in the Middle East, where breast cancer patients are typically younger than in Western populations. This, he noted, underscores the need for region-specific research and treatment strategies.
Meanwhile, Dr. Faisal Alterkait, Consultant Medical Oncologist and Head of the Breast Cancer Unit at Kuwait Cancer Center, discussed a recent study on HER2-positive breast cancer presented at the conference. He noted that the findings suggest it may be possible to reduce the use of traditional chemotherapy drugs like carboplatin in early-stage patients by combining targeted therapies such as Herceptin and Perjeta, without sacrificing effectiveness.
“This research marks a potential change in treatment practices that could enhance patients’ quality of life,” Dr. Alterkait said. “We hope to implement these insights into clinical practice in Kuwait.”
He also underscored the importance of ongoing collaboration across the GCC and UAE, particularly given that breast cancer tends to affect younger women in the region. While the average age of high-risk patients in the US and Europe is around 64, many cases in the Gulf are diagnosed before age 40.
Dr. Alterkait advocated for expanded early screening programmes for women under 40, emphasizing that early detection can raise survival rates above 90 percent when the disease is caught early. He warned that delays in screening can lead to more advanced disease and complex treatment challenges.
He concluded by reaffirming that early detection remains the most crucial element in the fight against breast cancer.