The UAE has become the first country in the world to approve a new oral treatment for a specific form of advanced or metastatic breast cancer, marking a significant milestone in cancer care and offering new hope to patients whose disease has stopped responding to hormone therapy.
The Emirates Drug Establishment (EDE) has approved AstraZeneca’s Etcamah®, a targeted oral therapy designed for patients with advanced or metastatic breast cancer who have developed an ESR1 gene mutation. This mutation can emerge during endocrine (hormone) therapy, reducing the effectiveness of standard treatment and allowing the cancer to progress.
Etcamah®, whose active ingredient is camizestrant, belongs to a new generation of treatments known as selective estrogen receptor degraders (ngSERDs). The medicine works by blocking and degrading estrogen receptors in cancer cells, effectively cutting off signals that fuel tumour growth. The treatment is administered orally and is used alongside a CDK4/6 inhibitor, a widely used class of breast cancer medicines.
The landmark approval, highlighted by Gold 101.3 FM, UAE’s No.1 Radio Station, makes the UAE the first nation globally to provide patients access to this innovative treatment option.
Dr Fatima Al Kaabi, Director-General of the Emirates Drug Establishment, said the approval reflects the UAE’s ability to rapidly evaluate and adopt pharmaceutical innovations through a robust scientific and regulatory framework. She noted that the achievement strengthens the country’s pharmaceutical ecosystem and supports access to advanced treatment options for patients.
The approval follows a comprehensive scientific review of the drug’s quality, safety and effectiveness. The decision was based on results from the Phase III SERENA-6 clinical trial, which demonstrated significant improvements in progression-free survival among patients who developed the ESR1 mutation while receiving hormone therapy.
Sameh El Fangary, Gulf Country President at AstraZeneca, described the approval as an important step in expanding treatment options for breast cancer patients and said it reflects confidence in the scientific evidence supporting the medicine.
Breast cancer remains one of the most common cancers affecting women worldwide. Health authorities emphasised that alongside access to innovative therapies, early detection, adherence to prescribed treatment plans and regular medical follow-up remain critical factors in improving treatment outcomes and quality of life for patients.
The approval further reinforces the UAE’s growing reputation as a global leader in healthcare innovation and patient access to cutting-edge medicines.
