Abu Dhabi administers pioneering breast cancer drug Camizestrant in world first

A health center in Abu Dhabi has become the first in the world to administer Camizestrant, a new targeted therapy for advanced breast cancer, in a treatment delivered this week.

Burjeel Cancer Institute gave the drug to a woman in her 40s with an ESR1 gene mutation, supported by the Department of Health Abu Dhabi. The case marks a global first for the precision oncology drug outside clinical trial settings.

What is Camizestrant and how does it work?

Camizestrant is a next-generation hormone therapy designed for breast cancer that has grown resistant to standard endocrine treatment. It targets tumors driven by an ESR1 gene mutation, which can blunt the effect of conventional hormone-blocking drugs. The therapy aims to delay disease progression and help patients maintain quality of life for longer.

Why does the ESR1 mutation matter for treatment?

Health officials said the patient's tumor carried an ESR1 mutation, a change that can reduce the effectiveness of standard endocrine therapy and let the cancer advance.

Doctors detected the mutation using ctDNA monitoring, a blood test that tracks circulating tumor DNA. This method allows clinicians to identify resistance before symptoms or scans show signs of progression.

How effective is Camizestrant in clinical trials?

A global trial found that switching ESR1-mutated patients to Camizestrant cut the risk of disease progression or death by 56% compared with continuing standard endocrine therapy. The Emirates Drug Establishment approved the drug last week following these trial results. AstraZeneca developed the therapy as part of its precision oncology pipeline.

Why is breast cancer treatment a global health priority?

Breast cancer remains the most diagnosed cancer among women worldwide and a leading cause of premature death. Officials cited projections showing cases rising from 2.3 million in 2023 to more than 3.5 million by 2050.

Treatments like Camizestrant are seen as part of a broader shift toward earlier detection and personalized care.

What does this mean for cancer care in Abu Dhabi?

Humaid Al Shamsi, chief executive of Burjeel Cancer Institute, said the case reflects a shift toward precision oncology in the region. He said the institute is integrating molecular diagnostics and advanced analytics to detect treatment resistance before clinical or radiological signs appear.

Dr. Noura Al Ghaithi, undersecretary at the Department of Health Abu Dhabi, said the move supports the emirate's focus on early intervention and a more personalized healthcare system.

Burjeel Cancer Institute opened in 2004 and offers cancer screening and treatment, including dedicated breast cancer units, chemotherapy suites and specialty clinics. The institute says it plans to expand precision medicine approaches and apply artificial intelligence in diagnosis and treatment planning going forward.