“Emirates Bone Marrow Transplantation” reviews the latest genetic treatments for patients with thalassemia and sickle cell anemia

The activities of the Fourth UAE Conference on Bone Marrow Transplantation and Gene Therapy for Children were launched today, Saturday, in the capital, Abu Dhabi, with the participation of more than 700 specialists from 30 countries. The conference comes within the framework of supporting the efforts of the UAE to strengthen its position as a regional and global center for advanced medical care, and confirm its reputation as a center of excellence and innovation in the field of pediatric medicine and advanced treatments.

The two-day conference brings together global leaders in pediatric hematology, oncology, and cell therapy, under the slogan “An international meeting of pediatric bone marrow transplant doctors to celebrate the success of saving children globally,” reflecting the spirit of cooperation and joint progress between health care institutions and researchers around the world to develop life-saving treatments for children with rare blood disorders.

An integrated scientific program
The conference includes a comprehensive scientific program extending over two days, including more than 42 prominent speakers from the United States, the United Kingdom, Spain, France, Italy, Saudi Arabia, India, and Jordan, in addition to an elite group of doctors and specialists in the region, 7 main scientific sessions, 26 lectures, and more than 30 presentations and research papers. Prestigious medical institutions, including Burjeel Medical City (BMC), Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, are also participating in the conference. Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and SJD Children’s Hospital Barcelona.

The program covers key lectures, discussion sessions, research presentations, and specialized workshops, covering the latest developments in the fields of gene therapy for patients with thalassemia and sickle cell anemia, stem cell transplantation, modern technologies in immune cells and gene therapy, CAR-T cell therapy, and organ transplant immunity. The conference also discusses topics of supportive care and improving the chances of long-term survival, in addition to developing access to gene therapies in the region, and advanced gene and cell therapies in hereditary blood diseases such as thalassemia and sickle cell anemia, and artificial intelligence in medicine. Flour and marrow transplantation, challenges in marrow transplantation for children in developing countries, capacity building programs, and the latest research on marrow transplantation for rare and immunological diseases, while participants present global therapeutic experiences in bone marrow transplantation for children from leading centers in Europe and America.

Strengthening medical capabilities
Conference Chairman and Head of the Department of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplantation at Burjeel Oncology Institute, Dr. Zain Al-Abidin, said: “This conference reflects the progress made by the UAE in developing specialized medical care for children, and enabling patients to obtain the best care without the need to travel abroad, while continuing to support scientific research and international cooperation that raises standards of care in the region,” noting that the comprehensive program for pediatric bone marrow transplantation has achieved survival rates exceeding 90% during the past three years, which strengthens Abu Dhabi’s position. As a leading treatment destination in the region, it supports the country’s strategy towards achieving self-sufficiency by building advanced medical capabilities and developing national competencies.

Support research and international cooperation
The main sessions of the conference were preceded by a specialized training course on bone marrow transplantation for children 2025, in which a number of young doctors and researchers participated, and covered practical topics such as selecting donors, collecting stem cells, cryopreserving them, air conditioning systems, and post-transplant management.

The participants affirmed their commitment to continuing to develop medical knowledge, expanding areas of research cooperation, and accelerating access to modern genetic treatments for children suffering from rare genetic disorders, noting that the UAE has today become a global model in combining medical innovation, education, and international partnership, noting that with the launch of the activities of this conference, the UAE continues to confirm its leadership in shaping the future of pediatric medicine and advanced genetic treatments at the regional and global levels.