UAE oncology conference urges wider use of AI and immunotherapy in cancer care
In short
The 7th Annual Emirates Oncology Society Conference concluded in Dubai on Sunday after two days of scientific sessions, workshops and discussions. Its recommendations called for expanded use of artificial intelligence to predict cancer treatment outcomes, wider use of immunotherapy in patients with advanced-stage cancers, and faster progress in personalised medicine based on each tumour's genetic and molecular characteristics. The final day focused on lung cancer, including personalised approaches to non-small cell lung cancer with EGFR mutations.
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The 7th Annual Emirates Oncology Society Conference concluded in Dubai on Sunday 4 October 2026 after two days of scientific sessions, workshops and specialised discussions, according to the state news agency WAM. The event issued recommendations centred on expanding the use of artificial intelligence to predict cancer treatment outcomes, advancing immunotherapy in patients with advanced-stage cancers, and accelerating developments in personalised cancer medicine through identifying genetic mutations and selecting treatments tailored to the molecular characteristics of each tumour. [ 1 , 2 ]
WAM reported that the conference brought together oncology experts, physicians and specialists from the UAE and abroad to discuss scientific developments and clinical practice in cancer diagnosis and treatment and to exchange expertise on modern therapies, precision oncology and integrated cancer care. Over the two days, the programme addressed breast, lung, liver, gastrointestinal and ovarian cancers through sessions, lectures and workshops that reviewed therapeutic advances and challenges physicians face in practice, WAM said. [ 1 , 2 ]
The final day was devoted largely to lung cancer, with experts discussing personalised treatment for non-small cell lung cancer associated with EGFR mutations, advances in small cell lung cancer and strategies for managing less common genetic alterations. The documents supplied do not carry that section of the text to its end. [ 1 , 2 ]
Both documents in this file carry the same WAM text; Aletihad's report is credited to WAM. Neither states how many people attended the conference, nor who is expected to act on the recommendations or on what timetable, and neither offers independent comment on the event. [ 1 , 2 ]
Why it matters
The recommendations point to how oncology practice in the UAE is being steered toward AI-assisted prediction, immunotherapy and molecularly tailored treatment, areas the conference said are advancing quickly. Because the conclusions come from a national specialist society event reported by the state news agency, they signal professional direction rather than binding rules. The documents give no indication of what, if anything, will be adopted in practice.
Key facts
- The 7th Annual Emirates Oncology Society Conference concluded in Dubai on Sunday 4 October 2026 after two days of scientific sessions, workshops and specialised discussions. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The conference recommended expanding the use of artificial intelligence to predict cancer treatment outcomes. [ 1 , 2 ]
- It recommended advancing the use of immunotherapy in patients with advanced-stage cancers. [ 1 , 2 ]
- It called for accelerating personalised cancer medicine through identifying genetic mutations and selecting treatments tailored to the molecular characteristics of each tumour. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Sessions covered breast, lung, liver, gastrointestinal and ovarian cancers. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The final day focused on lung cancer, including personalised treatment for non-small cell lung cancer associated with EGFR mutations, advances in small cell lung cancer and management of less common genetic alterations. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Participants included oncology experts, physicians and specialists from the UAE and abroad. [ 1 , 2 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- The 7th Annual Emirates Oncology Society Conference was held in Dubai and concluded on Sunday 4 October 2026 after two days of sessions and workshops. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The event issued recommendations on expanding AI use to predict cancer treatment outcomes, advancing immunotherapy for advanced-stage cancers and accelerating personalised cancer medicine. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The scientific programme covered breast, lung, liver, gastrointestinal and ovarian cancers, and the final day focused on lung cancer. [ 1 , 2 ]
Still unclear
- How many experts, physicians and specialists took part, and where they came from beyond the UAE and abroad. Neither document gives attendance figures or a participant breakdown.
- Who will act on the recommendations and whether they will be adopted in clinical practice or policy. The documents describe the recommendations but name no body, ministry or timeline for implementation.
- The conference's opening date and the dates of individual sessions. The documents say only that the event concluded Sunday after two days, without giving calendar dates.
- Details of the closing discussion on less common genetic alterations. The WAM text supplied in both documents is truncated mid-sentence at that point.
- Independent reporting on the conference. Both documents carry the same WAM text, with Aletihad crediting WAM, so nothing in the file is confirmed beyond the official release.