ADSCC, Yas Clinic Khalifa City pioneer CAR-T cell therapy for lupus and antiphospholipid syndrome

Abu Dhabi just pulled off a medical first that's turning heads. The Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Center (ADSCC), together with Yas Clinic Khalifa City, successfully used CAR-T cell therapy to treat a 38-year-old man suffering from two dangerous autoimmune conditions: severe systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and triple-positive antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). CAR-T is best known for fighting cancer, not autoimmune disease — which makes this case a rare milestone in the region.

"This successful delivery of CAR-T therapy reflects a bold step forward in treating severe autoimmune conditions," said Prof. Yendry Ventura, CEO of ADSCC. "It is the result of years of commitment to research, innovation, and patient-centered care."

How does it work?

CAR-T therapy is akin to reprogramming the body's immune system. Doctors collect a patient's own T-cells — the white blood cells that normally hunt down threats — and genetically engineer them to recognize and attack their target. Then, these "supercharged" T-cells are re-infused into the patient, where they reset the immune system.

For this patient, whose case was as complex as it gets — with lung bleeding, brain bleeds, blood clots, and even Budd-Chiari syndrome — standard treatments weren't cutting it. Despite heavy immunosuppressants and anticoagulants, the disease kept raging. After careful assessment and stabilization, the team turned to CAR-T as a last resort.

Early results? Encouraging. The patient showed immune reset and improvement soon after treatment and has now been safely discharged, with a long-term monitoring plan in place.

Why does it matter?

This isn't just one patient's story — it's a signpost for what might come next. If CAR-T can tame conditions like lupus and APS when nothing else works, that's a whole new frontier for autoimmune care.

Dr. Maysoon Al Karam, Chief Medical Officer at Yas Clinic Khalifa City, described it as "a transformative milestone in regional healthcare," adding, "Together, we are redefining the standards for autoimmune disease treatment and offering new hope to patients who have exhausted conventional therapies."

For patients trapped in cycles of flare-ups, steroids, and blood thinners, CAR-T could be a game-changer — a potential path to lasting remission.

The context

Globally, CAR-T has been almost synonymous with cancer breakthroughs — particularly in blood cancers like leukemia and lymphoma. But in the last few years, researchers have started testing it for autoimmune disorders, with promising results in Europe and the U.S.

Abu Dhabi's success firmly establishes the UAE as a hub for next-generation medicine. It demonstrates how collaboration between research centers and clinics can transform experimental science into effective real-world treatments. As Dr. Al Karam put it, this effort "aligns with the UAE's vision as a global leader in healthcare innovation."