Dr Ajlan Al-Zaki
Consultant Physician, Hematology & Blood Cancer Department · Adjunct Associate Professor
Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi · Khalifa University College of Medicine and Health Sciences
Abu Dhabi, UAE
An invitation from the Chair
It is my privilege to invite you to partner with the 1st Emirates Hematology Forum, taking place on 31 October 2026 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. As the inaugural edition of this meeting, the Forum brings together hematologists, hemato-oncologists, transfusion medicine specialists, laboratory hematologists, trainees, nurses and allied health professionals from across the UAE and beyond for one focused day of high-level clinical exchange.
Dr Ajlan Al-Zaki
Congress Chair
Who should attend
- Hematologists
- Hematology trainees & fellows
- Hemato-oncologists
- Hematopathologists
- Transfusion medicine specialists
- Specialist Nurses
- Clinical Pharmacists
One day, structured around the clinical questions that matter
Registration & Networking
Opening Remarks
Dr Ajlan Al-Zaki
Rahma Cancer Patient Care Society
Keynote: Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis Management
Dr Swaminathan Iyer
Session 1
Rewriting the Myeloma Playbook
Plasma Cell Disorders from Frontline to Relapse
Moderator: Dr Naser Al Zein
CAR-T Cell Therapy in Multiple Myeloma: From Ide-cel to Cilta-cel and Emerging Cellular Therapies
Dr Nausheen Ahmed
Bispecific T-Cell Engager Therapies: The Role of BiTEs in Hematologic Malignancies
Dr Panagiotis Kaloyannidi
Panel Discussion: Optimal Duration of Maintenance Therapy in Frontline Multiple Myeloma: When, If Ever, Should We Stop? · Sequencing of Therapies in Second Line: CAR-T then BiTEs or BiTEs then CAR-T
Moderator: Dr Ajlan Al-Zaki · Panelists: Dr Sara Saad, Dr Emmanouil Nikolousis, Dr Nausheen Ahmed, Dr Mansi Sachdev, Dr Panagiotis Kaloyannidi
TBC
TBC
Networking Coffee Break
Session 2
Cells as Medicine
Lymphoma & Leukemia in the CAR-T Era
Moderator: Dr Ajlan Al-Zaki
Towards Chemotherapy-Free Frontline Therapy in DLBCL: Are We There Yet?
Dr Husni Al Hateeti
Role of CAR-T Cell Therapy in Frontline Lymphoma
Dr Fatin Sammour
Sequencing CAR-T and Bispecific Antibodies in Relapsed/Refractory Lymphoma: Which Comes First?
Dr Amar Lal
Is Stem Cell Transplantation Still Needed in Frontline ALL?
Dr Arif Alam
The Evolving Treatment Landscape in CML
Dr Hani Osman
Q&A Session
All
TBC
TBC
Networking Lunch Break
Session 3
Beyond Chemotherapy
Precision & Time-Limited Therapy in Myeloid Disease
Moderator: Dr Shabeeha Rana
7+3 vs. FLAG-Based Regimens in AML: Choosing the Optimal Induction Strategy
Dr Yaser Alkhatib
Frontline Management of MPNs: How to Choose the Right Therapy for the Right Patient (TBC)
Dr Julieta Osorio Zuluaga
MDS in the Frontline Setting: Risk-Adapted Treatment and Emerging Therapeutic Strategies
Dr Noora Obaidallah
Panel Discussion: Treatment Failure in Myeloid Malignancies: When to Switch Therapy and When to Refer for Transplant
Moderator: Dr Faraz A Khan · Panelists: Dr Sana Al Balooshi, Dr Yaser Alkhatib, Dr Julieta Osorio Zuluaga, Dr Noora Obaidallah, Dr Anas Hadidi
TBC
Dr Yaser Alkhatib
TBC
Networking Coffee Break
Session 4
Beyond the Big Three
Hodgkin, Indolent & T-Cell Lymphomas and Supportive Care in Malignancy
Moderator: Dr Inas El Najjar
BRECADD vs. Nivolumab-AVD in Frontline Hodgkin Lymphoma: Which Strategy for Which Patient?
Dr Preethi Jeyaraman
Emerging Therapies in Hodgkin Lymphoma: From Novel Immunotherapies to Next-Generation Treatment Strategies
Dr Mohammed Abuhaleeqa
Peripheral T-Cell Lymphoma: A Practical Approach to Diagnosis and Frontline Management
Dr Reem Al Saadi
Toxicities Associated with T-Cell Engaging Therapies
Dr Aisha Al Aleeli
Q&A Session
All
TBC
Closing Remarks
Meet the 2026 faculty
The Forum brings together hematology specialists and clinical leaders from the UAE and internationally.
Dr Swaminathan Iyer
Professor of Medicine, Department of Lymphoma & Myeloma
University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Texas, United States
Dr Naser Al Zein
Consultant Paediatric Hematologist Oncologist
Mediclinic City Hospital
Dubai, UAE
Dr Nausheen Ahmed
Consultant Physician · Section Head of Hematology
Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi, UAE
Dr Panagiotis Kaloyannidi
Specialist Clinical Hematology
Burjeel Medical City
Abu Dhabi, UAE
Dr Emmanouil Nikolousis
Consultant Hematologist & Bone Marrow Transplantation Specialist
Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Center
Abu Dhabi, UAE
Dr Mansi Sachdev
Clinical Lead · Consultant Pediatric Hematologist
Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Center
Abu Dhabi, UAE
Dr Sara Saad
BMT and Hematology Oncology Pharmacotherapy Specialist
Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi, UAE
Dr Husni Al Hateeti
Consultant, Division of Hematology & Oncology
Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City
Abu Dhabi, UAE
Dr Fatin Sammour
Consultant Physician, Hematology & Blood Cancer Department
Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi, UAE
Dr Amar Lal
Hematologist and Oncologist
Tawam Hospital
Abu Dhabi, UAE
Dr Arif Alam
Consultant Hematologist & Oncologist · Chief of the Hematology Division
Tawam Hospital
Abu Dhabi, UAE
Dr Hani Osman
Consultant Physician, Hematology & Oncology
Tawam Hospital
Abu Dhabi, UAE
Dr Shabeeha Rana
Consultant Hematologist · Director of Cancer Services
King’s College Hospital London
Dubai, UAE
Dr Inas El Najjar
Consultant Physician, Clinical Hematology · Director of Undergraduate and Advanced Programs
Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Center
Abu Dhabi, UAE
Dr Yaser Alkhatib
Consultant Physician, Hematology & Oncology
Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi, UAE
Dr Noora Obaidallah
Consultant Hematologist
Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City
Abu Dhabi, UAE
Dr Julieta Osorio Zuluaga
Consultant Hematologist
Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi, UAE
Dr Faraz Khan
Consultant Hematologist & Medical Oncologist
American Hospital Dubai
Dubai, UAE
Dr Anas Hadidi
Clinical Staff Pharmacist
Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi, UAE
Dr Sana Al Balooshi
Senior Hematology & Oncology Clinical Pharmacist · Adjunct Assistant Professor
Tawam Hospital · UAE University
Abu Dhabi, UAE
Dr Preethi Jeyaraman
Clinical Hematologist
Burjeel Medical City
Abu Dhabi, UAE
Dr Mohammed Abuhaleeqa
Consultant Hematologist & Bone Marrow Transplant · Chair of Academic Affairs
Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Center
Abu Dhabi, UAE
Dr Reem Al Saadi
Hematology Fellow
Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi, UAE
Dr Aisha Al Aleeli
Hematology Fellow
Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi, UAE
Share your work with the Forum
The Forum welcomes abstract submissions from across the hematology community, including original research, case reports, and review work relevant to clinical, laboratory, and transfusion medicine practice. Contributions from trainees, nurses, and allied health professionals are equally encouraged, and selected abstracts will be presented during the scientific programme.
Detailed submission guidelines, formatting requirements, and the submission deadline will be published shortly.
Sponsorship opportunities
Three levels of paid partnership are available for the inaugural Forum. Industry participation is clearly identified throughout the programme.
Abu Dhabi
31 October 2026
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
The full venue address and directions will be confirmed ahead of the Forum, along with parking and accessibility information.
Abu Dhabi
Map and full address to follow.
Join us on 31 October 2026
Registration for the 1st Emirates Hematology Forum opens soon. Secure your place, or contact the secretariat for group and institutional bookings.