Abu Dhabi:Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, in collaboration with Abu Dhabi Biobank, has initiated a groundbreaking project in the UAE aimed at collecting and preserving blood and tumor tissue samples from cancer patients. This initiative is designed to advance research and facilitate the development of more personalized treatments.
According to Emirates News Agency, patients at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi's Fatima bint Mubarak Centre are being invited to voluntarily donate samples during their routine medical visits. These samples, collected with informed consent, are then processed and stored at Abu Dhabi Biobank, adhering to strict ethical and governance standards.
This project is part of Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi's broader efforts as it prepares to establish the Middle East's first heavy ion therapy facility. This facility will provide access to an advanced form of radiation therapy and will be the only one of its kind within a five-hour flight radius of the UAE.
Paul Downey, the General Manager of Abu Dhabi Biobank, emphasized that the collaboration aims to create a long-term national resource that will enhance researchers' understanding of cancer and support the advancement of predictive and personalized medicine.
Dr. Stephen R. Grobmyer, a Surgical Oncologist and Institute Chief at the Cancer Institute of Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, highlighted the importance of linking clinical samples with scientific research. This approach is expected to deepen the understanding of cancer development and progression, while also improving the representation of regional populations in research to ensure the studies better reflect their needs.