Survival and gvhd disparities in UAE patients undergoing allo-HSCT abroad: A multicenter benchmark study
Syed, Naveed Abu Haleeqa, Mohamed Al Kaabi, Fatema Alam, Arif Damlaj, Moussab Mheidly, Kayane Khan, Azmat Afrooz, Imrana Mir, Farooq Ahmed Al Hasan, Riad
Syed, Naveed
Abu Haleeqa, Mohamed
Al Kaabi, Fatema
Alam, Arif
Damlaj, Moussab
Mheidly, Kayane
Khan, Azmat
Afrooz, Imrana
Mir, Farooq Ahmed
Al Hasan, Riad
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Department
Computer Vision
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Journal article
Date
2025
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English
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Abstract
Background: Until 2022, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) lacked in-country allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (allo-HSCT) services, forcing patients abroad for curative treatment while local hematologists managed pre- and post-transplant care. This fragmented model created unique challenges in graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) monitoring and survival tracking. We present the first analysis of outcomes in this underserved population.
Aims: To evaluate overall survival (OS) and GVHD rates in adults receiving allo-HSCT abroad with UAE-based follow-up, establishing benchmarks for emerging local transplant programs.
Methods: Retrospective multicenter study of adults undergoing allo-HSCT outside the UAE (2009–2023) with follow-up at three tertiary centers (SSMC, SKMC, Tawam). Of 454 screened patients, we excluded pediatric cases (n=245), autologous HSCT (n=76; excluded due to distinct indications/outcomes), and rare allo-HSCT indications (n=33), focusing on the most common diagnoses: acute myeloid leukemia (AML, n=54), B/T-acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B/T-ALL, n=38), and sickle cell disease (SCD, n=8).
Kaplan-Meier (KM) analysis estimated 1/3/5-year OS. Observed median survival was calculated for deceased patients. GVHD grading followed NIH consensus criteria. Log-rank tests compared subgroups (donor type).
Citation
N. Syed et al., “Survival and gvhd disparities in UAE patients undergoing allo-HSCT abroad: A multicenter benchmark study,” Blood, vol. 146, no. Supplement 1, p. 7791, Nov. 2025, doi: 10.1182/BLOOD-2025-7791
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Blood
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Elsevier