MSK showcases breakthrough cancer innovations at World Health Expo

 Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

 At the recent World Health Expo (WHX) in Dubai, New York-based Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) showcased how breakthroughs in cancer research are being transformed into tangible benefits for patients worldwide, including across the Middle East, through earlier diagnosis, more precise treatments, and close collaboration with regional physicians. While scientific discovery remains the engine of progress, MSK’s growing focus is on translating innovation into real-world impact. Current efforts include less invasive diagnostic techniques, data-driven tools to guide personalised treatment decisions, and therapies designed to reduce side effects so patients can remain on treatment longer with better quality of life.

Two internationally renowned MSK doctors shared their expertise during the event, highlighting how modern oncology is reshaping outcomes in some of the world’s most challenging cancers.

Redefining colorectal cancer treatment

Dr. Julio Garcia-Aguilar, Chief of Colorectal Service at MSK and a global leader in minimally invasive and robotic surgery, addressed the evolving management of colorectal cancer — one of the most common cancers and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Dr Garcia-Aguilar emphasised a paradigm shift toward non-operative treatment strategies. At MSK, more patients now receive combinations of radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy, with surgery avoided when the tumor completely disappears.

“Our ‘Watch and Wait’ approach has allowed nearly 50 per cent of patients who traditionally required surgery to be cured without undergoing an operation,” he explained. “By reducing the need for surgery, we significantly improve quality of life while maintaining excellent cancer control.”

He also highlighted the rising incidence of colorectal cancer in patients under 50, driven by a mix of hereditary and environmental factors, making innovation in early detection and treatment more critical than ever.

Reflecting on his first experience at WHX, Dr Garcia-Aguilar described the event as unprecedented in scale and scientific exchange. “I have never seen a medical conference of this magnitude anywhere else in the world,” he said, noting the impressive global collaboration focused on improving patient care.

Advancing care in gastric, liver, and esophageal cancers

Another key voice at the conference was Dr. Ghassan Abou-Alfa, a leading gastrointestinal medical oncologist at MSK. Dr Abou-Alfa shared updates on the evolving treatment of gastric and esophageal cancers — diseases that remain highly prevalent globally and particularly across the Gulf region and the Middle East.

“While surgery is still central to treatment, chemotherapy and immunotherapy are now routinely given before and after surgery at MSK to improve long-term outcomes,” he explained. “It was especially rewarding to see physicians from different institutions discussing and building upon our research during WHX.” He also addressed the genetic dimension of cancer risk, noting that hereditary factors contribute significantly to gastric cancers in the Middle East, where consanguineous marriages are more common. MSK has pioneered comprehensive genetic testing for all tumor patients and developed specialised programmes for younger individuals with cancer. These initiatives aim to identify inherited cancer risks early, closely monitor high-risk patients, and intervene before disease progresses.

“Our ultimate goal is prevention and early detection,” Dr. Abou-Alfa said. “By understanding genetic predispositions, we can act before cancer causes harm.”

Global collaboration

Accompanying the physicians was Alexandra Forauer, Director of Destination Services at MSK, who underscored the institution’s commitment to international collaboration and comprehensive patient care. “Cancer does not recognize borders, and neither should access to the most advanced care,” she said. “Our role is to work alongside physicians and health systems around the world to ensure patients benefit from the latest research, whether treatment is delivered locally or at MSK.” MSK supports a growing number of patients from the Middle East, particularly from United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. A dedicated international patient team assists throughout the care journey — from treatment planning and hospital admission to recovery and return home — while also supporting families with accommodation and language services, including Arabic-speaking staff and interpreters. Importantly, MSK physicians remain in close communication with doctors in patients’ home countries, ensuring continuity of care and shared clinical decision-making. For MSK, the conference reaffirmed the power of global collaboration in accelerating progress against cancer. “Collectively, as an international medical community, we can transform cancer care,” Forauer concluded. “By sharing knowledge, research, and innovation, we move closer to a future where every patient — regardless of geography — has access to the best possible outcomes.”