Highlights
- ADSCC successfully performs the UAE’s first ovarian tissue cryopreservation in a paediatric cancer patient.
- The procedure safeguards future fertility for young female patients undergoing chemotherapy and radiation.
- Abu Dhabi strengthens its position as a global leader in advanced paediatric oncology care and innovative fertility preservation techniques.
In a significant medical advancement, the Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Centre (ADSCC) has performed the UAE’s first ovarian tissue cryopreservation (OTC) on a 7-year-old patient diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. The young girl, who faced a relapse after initial treatments failed, is now undergoing advanced therapies, with the ultimate goal of receiving a bone marrow transplant from her half-matched sibling.
Recognizing the risks posed by the necessary high-dose chemotherapy and total body irradiation, ADSCC’s experts collaborated with ART Fertility Clinic to carry out the OTC procedure. This innovative process involves removing, processing, and freezing ovarian tissue to safeguard the patient’s future fertility, offering a potential solution for cancer patients whose treatments threaten ovarian function.
The tissue, carefully treated with cryoprotective agents and stored at extremely low temperatures, could be reimplanted in the future, providing fertility restoration options. This step underscores ADSCC’s focus on enhancing patient outcomes through advanced paediatric oncology and fertility preservation efforts.
Healthcare leaders in Abu Dhabi have lauded this accomplishment, highlighting the importance of providing long-term quality-of-life improvements for patients. The procedure further reinforces the Emirate’s position as a leader in global healthcare innovation, particularly in paediatric cancer care and fertility preservation strategies.
Dr. Maysoon Al Karam from ADSCC emphasized that this milestone aligns with their mission to integrate fertility-preserving options into the treatment plans of paediatric cancer patients, particularly for those at risk of infertility due to aggressive treatments.
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