Khaberni - Abu Dhabi has solidified its leading position on the global medical innovation map by adding a new qualitative achievement to its health record.
Abu Dhabi has become the first globally to offer "Camizestrant" treatment for advanced breast cancer patients, marking a shift towards precision medicine based on proactive intervention, early detection, and customized treatment according to the genetic characteristics of each patient.
This achievement was supervised by the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, where Burjeel Oncology Institute provided the innovative treatment to a woman in her forties diagnosed with advanced breast cancer after tests revealed a genetic mutation in the ESR1 gene, a mutation associated with developing resistance to traditional hormonal treatments and contributing to the disease’s progression.
The medical team relied on advanced technology to monitor circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in blood, which enables the detection of molecular changes associated with treatment resistance through blood sample analysis, before any signs of disease progression appear through radiographic imaging or clinical symptoms.
The new treatment represents a significant shift in the treatment pathway for advanced breast cancer linked to this genetic mutation, as it allows early therapeutic intervention before clear signs of disease progression appear, helping to extend the control period over it, delay its progression, and maintain patients' quality of life.
Dr. Noura Khamis Al Ghaithi, from the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, stated that the future of healthcare is no longer limited to treating the disease after it appears but is based on the ability to anticipate and intervene early before its development, asserting that the provision of "Camizestrant" treatment for the first time globally from Abu Dhabi embodies the emirate's vision in building one of the most intelligent and advanced health systems, focused on prevention, early detection, and leveraging the latest innovations to enable patients to access advanced treatments timely.
She added that the integration of advanced diagnostics, precision medicine, and innovative treatments continues to elevate care levels in the emirate, contributing to improved health outcomes and enabling community members to enjoy better health and prolonged life, and enhancing Abu Dhabi's position as a leading global destination for healthcare.
Professor Hamid bin Harmal Al Shamsi, CEO of Burjeel Oncology Institute, stated that the institute is proud to be the first center in the world to provide this innovative treatment in clinical practice, noting that this achievement reflects the institute’s vision in integrating advanced molecular diagnostics, artificial intelligence, and modern analytical technologies within the patient care pathway, allowing more accurate and personalized treatment decisions based on the biological characteristics of each case.
He added that the achievement is not limited to providing a new drug but embodies the adoption of a comprehensive model of precision oncology based on continuous molecular monitoring, where advanced ctDNA tests enable very early detection of resistance to hormonal treatment and intervention before any radiographic or clinical signs of disease progression appear, offering patients a greater chance to control the disease and preserve their quality of life.
This advanced therapeutic approach is based on the results of the global SERENA-6 study, which showed that switching patients who were found to have the ESR1 mutation through ctDNA tests to "Camizestrant" treatment reduced the risk of disease progression or death by 56% compared to continuing traditional hormonal treatment.
The SERENA-6 study is the first global study to rely on serial monitoring of circulating tumor DNA in blood to guide the decision to change treatment before clinical or radiographic progression of the disease occurs, representing a fundamental shift in advanced breast cancer treatment methodologies and establishing a new phase of proactive therapeutic care.
