Muscat – The National Haematology and Bone Marrow Transplant Centre at University Medical City has successfully carried out the first CAR T-cell treatment in Oman, engaging national medical teams in cooperation with international partners.

CAR T-cell therapy is a form of cancer immunotherapy in which a patient’s own immune cells (T cells) are collected, genetically modified to recognise cancer cells, and then reinjected to attack the disease. The therapy has shown good results in patients with B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (B-ALL) and Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma (DLBCL), particularly among those who do not respond to conventional treatments.

Dr Ibrahim bin Mohammed al Nabhani, Haematology Consultant at the centre, said the achievement highlights the rapid progress of Oman’s healthcare sector. “This provides highly effective treatment and has significant impact on improving patients’ health,” he said.

He added that the treatment was previously available only at a few international centres and that its availability in Oman gives new hope to patients and families.

Dr Murtadha bin Khamis al Khabouri, Head of Haematology Department at University Medical City, said availability of the treatment in Oman was the result of collaboration between the centre’s lymphoma, myeloma, bone marrow transplantation and cell therapy team, the Ministry of Health’s Department of Treatment Abroad, and academic partners at Fortis Memorial Research Institute in India. The cooperation, he said, aimed at localising advanced medical technologies and applying research in clinical practice.

Dr Sultan bin Salem al Harthy, Director of Department of Treatment Abroad, said localising the therapy is among the most important initiatives in Oman’s healthcare sector. “It will facilitate patient access and reduce the need to send patients abroad, while ensuring international standards of care,” he said.

He added that the programme was made possible by investment in training national medical staff and by strategic partnerships with leading international centres.