The University Medical City, represented by the National Haematology and Bone Marrow Transplant Centre, has successfully implemented the first Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy in the Sultanate of Oman, utilising national medical personnel and international partnerships.
This achievement marks a pioneering medical milestone, positioning Oman among regional leaders in providing advanced and precision treatments for blood cancer patients. CAR-T cell therapy is one of the latest immunotherapies, where T-cells are extracted from the patient, genetically modified and then reinfused to precisely target cancer cells.
The treatment has shown remarkable response rates in patients with B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (B-ALL) and Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma (DLBCL), particularly for those unresponsive to conventional therapies.
Dr Ibrahim bin Mohammed al Nabhani, Assistant Professor at Sultan Qaboos University’s College of Medicine and Health Sciences and Consultant Haematologist specialising in lymphoma and cellular therapy at the University Medical City, stated that this accomplishment reflects the rapid advancement of Oman’s healthcare sector in biomedical innovation. He emphasised that this high-efficacy treatment, previously limited to select international centres, now offers hope to patients and their families at the University Medical City in Oman.
Dr Murtadha bin Khamis al Khabouri from Sultan Qaboos University’s College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Senior Consultant in Haematology and Head of the Haematology Department at the University Medical City, explained that the therapy’s implementation resulted from collaboration between the National Haematology and Bone Marrow Transplant Centre, the Ministry of Health’s Overseas Treatment Department, and academic partners from the Fortis Memorial Research Institute. The goal is to localise cutting-edge medical technologies, establish a national centre for advanced therapies and translate research into clinical applications.
Meanwhile, Dr Sultan bin Salim al Harthy, Director of the Overseas Treatment Department at the Ministry of Health, highlighted that this treatment is part of key programmes to localise specialised care, easing patient burdens and delivering top-tier medical services within Oman. By introducing CAR-T therapy through the University Medical City, Oman takes a step towards medical self-sufficiency and cost reduction compared to overseas referrals, supported by substantial investments in national workforce training and global collaborations to ensure compliance with international standards. — ONA
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