(Abu Dhabi, UAE) - Following the accelerated approval granted by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the Mantle Cell Lymphoma (MCL) treatment, the United Arab Emirates has officially approved and registered the treatment, becoming the second country to introduce the treatment for rare blood cancer patients.

The treatment, developed by AstraZeneca, a global pharmaceutical company, represents a milestone into the research and treatment of blood cancers. Blood cancers constitute a heterogeneous group of diseases of which some of them are having a generally poor survival and quality of life to patients and detrimental socioeconomic impact on healthcare systems.

MCL is a rare cancer of the lymphoid system that arises from the outer rim or mantle lymphoid follicle in a lymph node. The cause of MCL is unknown. Around 85% of patients have been found to have a genetic abnormality known as a translocation between chromosome 11 and 14, resulting in the overproduction of cyclin D1, a protein that drives the cell growth.

In the UAE, approximately 4,500 new cases of cancer are reported yearly. In 2012, cancer was the third leading cause of deaths in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. The UAE is determined to bring down cancer fatalities by nearly 18% by 2021. Reducing the number of deaths due to cancer is one of the key performance indicators of the UAE National Agenda.

Samer Al Hallaq - Area Vice President Middle East, AstraZeneca said, “The accelerated approval of the MCL treatment is a landmark moment for AstraZeneca in the UAE as it is the second country globally after the US to grant approval on the launch of the therapy. The new treatment provides an exciting additional option for patients with MCL and marks our presence in the hematology field. In addition, it further demonstrates our commitment to scientific leadership in oncology. We pride ourselves on having been part of the fabric of the UAE for a long time. As such, we seek to provide a broad range of new therapies, as well as practical solutions to advance the care of patients, which we’re able to do now more than ever before.”

“Our primary objective is to address the unmet medical needs of people living with cancer and rare diseases. This means that we go beyond simply delivering medicines, to expanding access to them in a part of the world that presents numerous challenges. Mortality rates from cancer are increasing around the world. The Middle East region is diverse, featuring countries that struggle with cancer therapies. Despite the UAE also being part of the region, it benefits from having cutting edge therapies and comprehensive cancer care, allowing it to be at the forefront of cancer treatment in the region, added Al Hallaq.
 

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