Today's Edition
A. SREENIVASA REDDY (ABU DHABI)
A breast cancer patient in Abu Dhabi was administered the advanced precision therapy Camizestrant, marking the world’s first use of the treatment in a clinical care setting. Early identification of a gene mutation enabled Burjeel Cancer Institute to provide the treatment before the cancer showed visible signs of progression or resistance to conventional hormone therapy.
The next-generation treatment for advanced breast cancer was given to the patient under the supervision of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH). Switching to Camizestrant reduced the risk of disease progression or death by 56%, compared with continuing conventional endocrine therapy.
Speaking to Aletihad, Prof Humaid Al Shamsi, CEO, Burjeel Cancer Institute, said the patient — who is in her 40s — is clinically stable and continues to be closely monitored by a multidisciplinary oncology team as she receives the Camizestrant-based precision oncology treatment.
According to the hospital, a blood-based molecular test detected an ESR1 gene mutation in the patient. The mutation indicated that the cancer was developing resistance to conventional hormone therapy, even before the disease became visible on scans or caused clinical symptoms.
Prof Al Shamsi said the patient was diagnosed with hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative advanced breast cancer. Explaining the condition in simple terms, he said this is a common form of breast cancer in which cancer growth is driven by hormone signalling.
Many patients with this type of cancer initially benefit from hormone therapy, often combined with targeted medicines such as CDK4/6 inhibitors. However, over time, some cancers develop resistance. In this patient’s case, molecular testing detected an ESR1 gene mutation, which Prof Al Shamsi described as one of the recognised ways breast cancer becomes resistant to standard hormone therapy.
“The decision was based on the biology of the patient’s cancer, not on a one-size-fits-all treatment approach,” Prof Al Shamsi said.
Prof Al Shamsi said the ESR1 mutation was identified through a blood test that detects circulating tumour DNA. He said this early detection provided an opportunity to switch to a treatment specifically designed to overcome this resistance.
How the Treatment Works
Camizestrant offers a more targeted treatment option for patients whose cancer has developed an ESR1 gene mutation. By providing a more precise and personalised treatment option before clear signs of disease progression appear, it may help to control the cancer for longer, delay further progression and preserve patients’ quality of life, the press release said.
Explaining how the medicine works, Prof Al Shamsi said Camizestrant is an oral medication that works by degrading and blocking the estrogen receptor. He said it was specifically designed to work against both mutated and normal estrogen receptors.Unlike hormone blockers that stop estrogen production but do not work against ESR1-mutated tumours, Camizestrant directly targets the mutated estrogen receptor, he said.
The medicine is taken orally as a tablet rather than through intravenous infusion, which can make treatment more convenient for eligible patients.However, Prof Al Shamsi said oral administration does not mean the treatment is less serious. It still requires careful specialist supervision, regular follow-up, monitoring for side effects and ongoing assessment of disease control.
“What is new is not only the medicine, but the treatment strategy,” Prof Al Shamsi said. He said oncologists traditionally change treatment after scans show disease progression or after the patient develops symptoms. In this case, blood-based molecular monitoring was used to identify resistance earlier.
“This represents a shift from reactive cancer care to proactive precision oncology,” he said.
Prof Al Shamsi said the decision to switch was guided by precision medicine and supported by the SERENA-6 clinical trial.
“For the team, the priority was to act early, responsibly, and in line with the best available clinical evidence for this patient's molecular profile,” Prof Al Shamsi said.
Dr Noura Al Ghaithi, Undersecretary of DoH, said: “The future of healthcare is not defined by treating disease, but by how early we can identify change and intervene before a patient’s condition progresses. Enabling the first global administration of Camizestrant in a clinical setting reflects Abu Dhabi’s vision of building one of the world’s most intelligent and advanced healthcare systems, founded on prevention, early detection, and timely intervention.”
Prof Al Shamsi said the milestone sends a clear message that patients in the UAE can access some of the latest advances in cancer care close to home.
For patients and families, he said, this means faster access, earlier decision-making, continuity of care and treatment delivered by teams who understand their clinical, cultural and personal needs.
The therapy was made available through appropriate clinical, regulatory and institutional pathways, with patient safety, compliance and scientific evidence as the highest priorities, according to information provided by the hospital.
The Emirates Drug Establishment approved Etcamah, or Camizestrant, following scientific and regulatory review, while the DoH and Daman supported the safe adoption of innovative therapies in specialised centres. AstraZeneca, the developer of the medicine, also played an important role in enabling access.
