Paving the Road for Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in the United Arab Emirates: A Single Centre's Experience.

Background: Despite its long-term history, haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) still faces challenges in several countries under development and especially in the private health sector.

Objectives Design And Methods: In this retrospective analysis, we present our experience and the results of 48 adult patients who underwent HSCT (autologous 37, allogeneic 9) at a private-sector hospital in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE). The main indications were multiple myeloma and acute myeloid leukaemia in the autologous and allogeneic setting, respectively.

Antithrombotic utilization, adverse events, and associations with treatment outcomes in multiple myeloma: pooled analysis of three clinical trials.

Background: Patients with multiple myeloma (MM) are at risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE), worsened by immunomodulatory drugs. Although antithrombotics are recommended for prophylaxis, existing guidelines are suboptimal and treatment outcomes remain unclear.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate adverse events, antithrombotic utilization, and their associations with survival outcomes in patients with MM initiating multi-drug immunomodulatory combinations.

Uncovering the epidemiology of bladder cancer in the Arab world: A review of risk factors, molecular mechanisms, and clinical features.

Objective: Bladder cancer (BC) is a significant public health concern in the Middle East and North Africa, but the epidemiology and clinicopathology of the disease and contributors to high mortality in this region remain poorly understood. The aim of this systematic review was to investigate the epidemiological features of BC in the Arab world and compare them to those in Western countries in order to improve the management of this disease.

Methods: An extensive electronic search of the PubMed/PMC and Cochrane Library databases was conducted to identify all articles published until May 2022, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines.

BRCA testing and management of BRCA-mutated early-stage breast cancer: a comprehensive statement by expert group from GCC region.

BReast CAncer ()1 and gene pathogenic variants account for most hereditary breast cancers (BC). Identification of mutations can significantly influence both prognosis and treatment outcomes. Furthermore, it enables the identification of individuals who are at heightened risk of developing BC due to inherited genetic mutations.

Recommended approaches for screening and early detection of lung cancer in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region: a consensus statement.

Background: The prevalence of lung cancer in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region has steadily increased in recent years and is generally associated with a poor prognosis due to the late detection of most of the cases. We explored the factors leading to delayed diagnoses, as well as the challenges and gaps in the early screening, detection, and referral framework for lung cancer in the MEA.

Methods: A steering committee meeting was convened in October 2022, attended by a panel of ten key external experts in the field of oncology from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, South Africa, Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, and Turkey, who critically and extensively analyzed the current unmet needs and challenges in the screening and early diagnosis of lung cancer in the region.

Cancer research in the United Arab Emirates from birth to present: A bibliometric analysis.

Background: Accumulating evidence indicates that the incidence of cancer is increasing in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This analysis aimed to determine the current cancer research output in the UAE to guide future national research.

Methods: The Scopus database was searched for cancer-related bibliographic data from the UAE.

Geographic differences in lung cancer: focus on carcinogens, genetic predisposition, and molecular epidemiology.

Lung cancer poses a global health challenge and stands as the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. However, its incidence, mortality, and characteristics are not uniform across all regions worldwide. Understanding the factors contributing to this diversity is crucial in a prevalent disease where most cases are diagnosed in advanced stages.

Prostate cancer clinical trials in low- and middle-income countries.

Background: Prostate cancer is the second most common form of cancer and a leading cause of cancer-related death in men. In an era of evidence-based medicine, clinical trials play a critical role, and adherence to best practices is crucial in managing complicated and non-communicable diseases, such as prostate cancer. For this reason, extrapolating research conducted in high-income countries (HICs) to low-middle-income countries (LMICs) may lead to incorrect findings or treatment plans for patients in these areas.

Erratum: Quality and reliability of YouTube videos in Arabic as a source of patient information on prostate cancer.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3332/ecancer.2023.

Association of proton pump inhibitor use with survival and adverse effects outcomes in patients with multiple myeloma: pooled analysis of three clinical trials.

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are commonly used in cancer patients, but their impact on treatment outcomes in multiple myeloma (MM) patients remains unclear. This study investigated the association of PPI use with survival and adverse effects in MM patients across three randomized-control trials initiating daratumumab, lenalidomide, or bortezomib combination treatments. Cox proportional hazard analysis and logistic regression were employed to assess the associations with treatment outcomes, while adjusting for age, sex, weight, MM international staging system stage, ECOG-performance status, comorbidity count, and presence of gastrointestinal disorders.

First Reported Case of Successful Conception and Delivery During Stage IV Breast Cancer Treatment: A Case Report and Literature Review.

We herein report a case involving a woman with metastatic human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2)-positive breast cancer (BC) who became pregnant while undergoing active anticancer therapy with Trastuzumab-Pertuzumab for her advanced BC disease at our institution. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of pregnancy and successful delivery in a stage IV BC patient during anticancer therapy. A multidisciplinary approach for such a complex case is a must to evaluate the mother's medical condition by an experienced oncology team along with a maternal-fetal team, with support from a psychiatric and psychological evaluation for the mother.

Breast Cancer in the Arabian Gulf Countries.

Breast cancer stands as the prevailing malignancy across all six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations. In this literature review, we highlighted the incidence and trend of breast cancer in the GCC. Most of the studies reported a consistent increase in breast cancer incidence over the past decades, which was particularly attributed to the adoption of a Westernized lifestyle in the region and the implications of emerging risk factors and other environmental and societal factors, the increase in screening uptake, as well as the improvement in data collection and reporting in the GCC.

Arab Countries and Oncology Clinical Trials: A Bibliometric Analysis.

The increasing cancer burden is a major health concern in Arab countries with cross-regional variations in cancer profiles. Given the limited oncology research output and scarce data on cancer trial participation in the Arab region, this study explored the therapeutic cancer trial landscape in Arab countries over the past 20 years. A bibliometric analysis of the PubMed database was conducted on primary publications of therapeutic trials with a participating Arab center.

Improving the management of ALK-rearranged non-small-cell lung cancer through a mobile application: a physicians-based survey.

ALK rearrangements account for around 5% of non-small-cell lung cancers. This study surveys physicians on the potential efficacy of a mobile application in improving the management of ALK-rearranged non-small-cell lung cancer, through knowledge, treatment adherence and real-time adverse events reporting. A total of 118 physicians from 11 countries in the Middle East participated.

Quality and reliability of YouTube videos in Arabic as a source of patient information on prostate cancer.

Background: Prostate cancer remains a major public health challenge in the Arab world with few population-based screening programmes, a high incidence of advanced disease at diagnosis, and limited patient access to sub-specialist care. A large number of patients diagnosed with prostate cancer use the (World Wide Web) internet to learn more about the disease and treatment options; however, material in the Arabic language is scarce. This study aims to objectively assess the quality and reliability of the information on YouTube™, which is the most globally used video platform, pertaining to prostate cancer videos published in Arabic.

The first Middle East and North Africa expert consensus recommendations for management of advanced gastric cancer.

Gastric cancer (GC) ranks as the fifth most prevalent cancer and the fourth deadliest cancer worldwide. In the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, GC represents about 4.8% of cancer cases with more than 35,000 new cases in 2020.

The Perception and Awareness of the Public about Cancer and Cancer Screening in the United Arab Emirates, a Population-Based Survey.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has one of the fastest growing economies in the world, which has resulted in an increase in the detection of noncommunicable diseases such as cancer. Despite its screening and early detection efforts falling short of the target coverage of the intended population, the number of reported cases and deaths in UAE has increased over the years. A few studies have been conducted to understand the hurdles to cancer screening in UAE, mostly focusing on breast and colorectal malignancies.

Current Status of Management of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in The Gulf Region: Challenges and Recommendations.

The burden of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is on the rise in the Gulf region, with most patients being diagnosed in the intermediate or advanced stages. Surgery is a treatment option for only a few, and the majority of patients receive either locoregional treatment (percutaneous ethanol injection, radiofrequency ablation, transarterial chemoembolization [TACE], radioembolization, radiotherapy, or transarterial radioembolization) or systemic therapy (for those ineligible for locoregional treatments or who do not benefit from TACE). The recent emergence of novel immunotherapies such as immune checkpoint inhibitors has begun to change the landscape of systemic HCC treatment in the Gulf.

Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors for Solid Tumors in the Adjuvant Setting: Current Progress, Future Directions, and Role in Transplant Oncology.

The rationale for administering immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in the adjuvant setting is to eradicate micro-metastases and, ultimately, prolong survival. Thus far, clinical trials have demonstrated that 1-year adjuvant courses of ICIs reduce the risk of recurrence in melanoma, urothelial cancer, renal cell carcinoma, non-small cell lung cancer, and esophageal and gastroesophageal junction cancers. Overall survival benefit has been shown in melanoma while survival data are still not mature in other malignancies.

Data From a One-Stop-Shop Comprehensive Cancer Screening Center.

Purpose: Cancer is the second leading cause of death globally. However, by implementing evidence-based prevention strategies, 30%-50% of cancers can be detected early with improved outcomes. At the integrated cancer prevention center (ICPC), we aimed to increase early detection by screening for multiple cancers during one visit.

The State of Cancer Care in the United Arab Emirates in 2022.

Cancer is the third-leading cause of death in the United Arab Emirates (UAE); cancer care in the UAE has evolved dramatically over the last 40 years, from a single center in Al Ain in 1981 to more than 30 cancer centers and clinics across the UAE, with at least four comprehensive cancer centers in the UAE nowadays. Despite the significant progress in medical care, cancer quality control across the UAE is still lacking, with significant variations in cancer care across the cancer centers. Access to clinical trials is still hampered by a lack of expertise and research infrastructure and a small population, which renders patient accrual for trials a major challenge.

Nonpharmaceutical interventions reduce the incidence and mortality of COVID-19: A study based on the survey from the International COVID-19 Research Network (ICRN).

The recently emerged novel coronavirus, "severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2)," caused a highly contagious disease called coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). It has severely damaged the world's most developed countries and has turned into a major threat for low- and middle-income countries. Since its emergence in late 2019, medical interventions have been substantial, and most countries relied on public health measures collectively known as nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs).