• The test is especially beneficial to patients with B-cell lymphoblastic leukemia given the  aggressive nature of the disease.

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates: Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City (SSMC), one of the UAE’s largest hospitals for serious and complex care and a joint-venture partnership between Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA) and Mayo Clinic, has recently introduced a new test for patients living with B-cell acute lymphocytic leukemia (B-ALL). The B-ALL MRD testing by flow cytometry is a unique test to detect post-treatment B-Cell lymphoblastic leukemia cancer cells. It is designed to support physicians in improving the prognosis and monitoring of patients living with the disease.

B-ALL is a type of blood and marrow cancer that occurs when an excess of abnormal B-lymphocytes are produced. These types of white blood cells support the body in fighting infection. When too many of those cells accumulate in the blood and bone marrow, they impact healthy blood cells, making it harder for the body’s immune system to fight infections. B-ALL progresses rapidly and requires highly specialized testing to be optimally managed. SSMC’s B-ALL MRD Testing by Flow Cytometry helps detect minimal residual disease (MRD), which is the name given to leukemic cells that remain in the body during treatment and are a major cause of relapse.

Dr. Eiman Al Zaabi, consultant in hematopathology and chairperson of the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Department at SSMC, commented on the clinical significance of introducing the novel testing method and said: “Having the B-ALL MRD testing by flow cytometry available at SSMC is invaluable to improving patient outcomes and providing a truly personalized experience. It enables us to identify MRD levels and gives our team of multidisciplinary specialists detailed information to improve the prognosis and monitoring of the disease. Additionally, the results guide us in amending the management of the disease and pinpointing the right level of care needed to yield the best possible therapeutic benefits for patients.”

Dr. Al Zaabi added: “Based on the test results, further therapies can be adapted to achieve long-term complete remission and contribute to reducing the harmful effects of chemotherapy.”

Additional benefits of the B-ALL MRD testing include identifying patients who are at a higher risk of relapse allowing for earlier intervention by their dedicated medical team, and who qualify for stem cell transplants.

Dr. Matthew Gettman, chief medical officer at SSMC, remarked on how crucial it is to bring such highly specialized testing to the UAE and how it contributes to SSMC’s ongoing efforts of establishing a center of excellence in cancer care. He said: “An intrinsic part of our approach at SSMC is to give patients definitive answers to the most serious and complex of health conditions. By having tests such as the B-ALL MRD Testing available to patients in Abu Dhabi, we are able to complement our clinical excellence and provide human-centered and integrated solutions led by global experts when delivering world-class oncological care to patients undergoing complex and time-sensitive treatments.”

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About Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City (SSMC)

Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City (SSMC) is a joint venture between Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA), the UAE’s largest healthcare network, and Mayo Clinic, a non-profit global leader in medical care, education and research headquartered in the United States of America. Established in 2019, SSMC is the largest tertiary hospital in the UAE and serves to elevate the provision of health care services in the nation under the mandate of the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030.

Supported by the latest diagnostic and treatment modalities available, SSMC offers care in 44 specialties. A team of locally and internationally trained physicians and allied health staff work seamlessly together, which promotes comprehensive interdisciplinary learning, allowing SSMC to become a leading hub for integrated patient-centric medical services in the region.

As the region’s leading tertiary facility, SSMC has 742 patient beds, 18 operating theatres and includes a hybrid operating room, 26 neonatal intensive care units and the UAE’s largest pathology lab.

For more information on Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City or to book an appointment, visit https://ssmcabudhabi.ae/.

About SEHA

The Abu Dhabi Health Services Company PJSC–SEHA – is an independent, public joint stock company created to develop the curative activities of the public health care system in Abu Dhabi. The company owns and operates all the public hospitals and clinics of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

SEHA is part of ADQ, one of the region’s largest holding companies with a broad portfolio of major enterprises spanning key sectors of Abu Dhabi’s diversified economy.

SEHA is committed to continuous improvement of customer care to recognized international standards and providing the community with world-class health care. SEHA operates 13 hospitals with 3,385 beds, 70 ambulatory care, family care and urgent care centers and 2 blood banks. Its facilities accommodate 117,162 inpatients annually and conduct 43,262 surgeries, as well as treating more than five million outpatients. SEHA is one of the largest integrated health care providers in the Middle East with more than 18,000 doctors, nurses, ancillary care, and administrative personnel. Learn more at www.seha.ae.

About Mayo Clinic

Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization committed to innovation in clinical practice, education and research, and providing compassion, expertise and answers to everyone who needs healing. Visit the Mayo Clinic News Network for additional Mayo Clinic news and Mayo Clinic Facts for more information about Mayo.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Salma Chalak  

Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City  

Email:schalak@ssmc.ae  

Fadya Al Kathairi  

Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City  

Email: falkathairi@ssmc.ae

Mustafa Al-Sibai 

H+K Strategies

Email: Mustafa.Al-Sibai@hkstrategies.com