Cancer Care Centers of Excellence in GCC: Technology & Protocols Analysis
This article analyzes the latest technologies and treatment protocols at Cancer Care Centers of Excellence in the GCC, enhancing patient outcomes in oncology.
Quick Answer
This article analyzes the latest technologies and treatment protocols at Cancer Care Centers of Excellence in the GCC, enhancing patient outcomes in oncology.
Key Questions
- What did Burjeel Holdings acquire in February 2025?
- What technologies will the ACOC network deploy?
- How many cancer cases were reported in the UAE in 2023?
- Why is the GCC seeing rising cancer cases?
- What accreditations does ACOC hold?
Burjeel Holdings acquired an 80% stake in Dubai's Advanced Care Oncology Center (ACOC) for AED 92 million in February 2025. The company plans to launch ACOC-branded radiation oncology centers across the GCC, deploying AI-driven treatment planning and LINAC systems to address the region's growing cancer burden.
Contents10 sections
Key Takeaways
- Strategic acquisition: Burjeel Holdings purchased 80% of ACOC for AED 92 million ($25 million) with an option to acquire the remaining 20%, per the company's February 2025 announcement.
- Technology platform: The network will deploy Elekta Versa HD linear accelerators, AI-driven radiation planning, Cone Beam CT imaging, and Oracle Health EMR systems.
- Market opportunity: The UAE reported 7,487 new cancer cases in 2023 according to the Ministry of Health and Prevention; GCC cases are projected to rise 50% over two decades.
- Accreditation: ACOC holds Gold Accreditation from Accreditation Canada and is the only UAE facility with EANM PET/CT EARL Accreditation.
- Integration model: ACOC centers will connect with Burjeel Cancer Institute for advanced therapies like bone marrow transplants and robotic surgery.
What Did Burjeel Holdings Acquire?
On February 18, 2025, Burjeel Holdings PLC (ADX: BURJEEL) announced the acquisition of an 80% equity stake in Advanced Care Oncology Center (ACOC) for AED 92 million ($25 million) on a cash-free, debt-free basis. The transaction includes an option to acquire the remaining 20% stake in the future.
ACOC is a Dubai-based integrated cancer care provider established in 2017. The center began PET/CT operations in October 2017, chemotherapy services in February 2018, and radiation therapy in September 2019. In 2024, ACOC generated revenue of AED 64 million ($17.4 million). Founder and CEO Bashir Abou Reslan retained a 10% stake and continues to lead operations.
The acquisition fits Burjeel's broader oncology platform anchored by Burjeel Cancer Institute (BCI), which operates facilities across Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Al Dhafra, Sharjah, and Dubai. BCI provides medical oncology, radiation therapy, robotic surgical oncology, bone marrow transplants, and palliative care.
What Technologies Power the ACOC Network?
The ACOC-branded network will deploy four integrated technology platforms to standardize radiation oncology care across the GCC:
| Technology | System/Specification | Clinical Application |
|---|---|---|
| Linear Accelerator | Elekta Versa HD | IMRT, VMAT, SBRT delivery |
| Imaging | Cone Beam CT (CBCT) | Real-time tumor visualization |
| Planning Software | AI-driven algorithms | Automated dose optimization |
| EMR Platform | Oracle Health | Unified patient data management |
The Elekta Versa HD LINAC installed at ACOC delivers intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT). VMAT uses 3-D imaging to verify tumor position before treatment and monitors delivery in real-time. This reduces treatment time compared to static beam approaches.
AI-driven planning automates complex dose calculations and reduces variability between planners. This standardizes quality across network sites, particularly in underserved regions with limited specialized expertise.
How Significant Is the GCC Cancer Burden?
The UAE National Cancer Registry (UAE-NCR) reported 7,487 newly diagnosed cancer cases in 2023 according to the Ministry of Health and Prevention. Of these, 7,098 (94.8%) were invasive cancers. Breast cancer ranked first with 1,456 cases (up 27.8% from 2021), followed by thyroid cancer with 794 cases (up 33.4%).
Cancer caused 1,432 deaths in the UAE in 2023, representing 12.4% of all deaths and making it the third leading cause of mortality. The age-standardized mortality rate was 30.37 per 100,000 population.
According to the WHO Global Cancer Observatory, the UAE had 5,526 new cancer cases and 2,283 cancer deaths in 2022. Globally, annual cancer diagnoses are projected to rise from 20 million in 2024 to over 30 million by 2040.
Regional data indicate cancer cases across the GCC could grow by approximately 50% over the next two decades. This growth stems from aging populations, lifestyle changes, and demographic shifts. The region faces a shortage of specialized cancer care infrastructure to meet this demand.
What Are ACOC's Quality Accreditations?
ACOC holds multiple international accreditations that demonstrate compliance with global standards:
- Accreditation Canada: Gold Accreditation awarded in August 2021
- EANM EARL: Only UAE facility with PET/CT EARL Accreditation from the European Association of Nuclear Medicine
- Bienzobas Audit: Certificate of Medical Prescription Audit from Spain (October 2021), demonstrating compliance with EMA guidelines and NICE/NCCN protocols
These accreditations position ACOC as a reference site for quality assurance in radiation oncology across the Middle East region.
How Will the Network Expand Access?
The ACOC-branded network targets underserved markets across the GCC with a hub-and-spoke model. Standalone ACOC centers will serve as radiation therapy hubs, establishing referral platforms for broader healthcare provider networks.
Key elements of the access strategy include:
- Deploying centers in secondary and tertiary cities with limited radiation oncology infrastructure
- Standardizing treatment protocols through AI-driven planning to ensure consistent quality
- Connecting ACOC centers to Burjeel Cancer Institute for advanced therapies requiring specialized facilities
- Serving medical tourism from neighboring GCC countries and East/West African markets
This model addresses geographic barriers that have historically limited radiation therapy access for patients outside major urban centers like Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
What Are the Competitive Implications?
The ACOC acquisition creates a vertically integrated radiation oncology platform spanning the UAE and potentially other GCC markets. This positions Burjeel Holdings differently from competitors offering fragmented oncology services.
The integrated structure enables:
- Economies of scale in technology procurement and maintenance
- Centralized clinical governance with distributed service delivery
- Data aggregation for outcome tracking and research
- Streamlined referrals between community radiation centers and specialized tertiary care
Other healthcare providers in the region may face competitive pressure to invest in similar infrastructure and technology to match this capability.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Burjeel Holdings acquire in February 2025?
Burjeel Holdings acquired an 80% stake in Dubai-based Advanced Care Oncology Center (ACOC) for AED 92 million ($25 million) on a cash-free, debt-free basis. The deal includes an option to acquire the remaining 20% stake. ACOC recorded revenue of AED 64 million ($17.4 million) in 2024.
What technologies will the ACOC network deploy?
The ACOC-branded network will deploy state-of-the-art linear accelerator (LINAC) systems including Elekta Versa HD, AI-driven radiation planning software, precision imaging with Cone Beam CT (CBCT), and Oracle Health electronic medical records (EMR) for unified patient data management.
How many cancer cases were reported in the UAE in 2023?
The UAE National Cancer Registry reported 7,487 newly diagnosed cancer cases in 2023, including 7,098 invasive (malignant) and 389 non-invasive cases. Breast cancer was the most common type with 1,456 cases, followed by thyroid cancer with 794 cases.
Why is the GCC seeing rising cancer cases?
Cancer cases in the GCC are projected to grow by approximately 50% over the next two decades, driven by aging populations, lifestyle changes, and demographic shifts. The region faces a shortage of specialized cancer care infrastructure to meet this growing demand.
What accreditations does ACOC hold?
ACOC holds Gold Accreditation from Accreditation Canada (awarded August 2021) and is the only facility in the UAE with PET/CT EARL Accreditation from the European Association of Nuclear Medicine (EANM). It also received a Certificate of Medical Prescription Audit from Bienzobas in Spain.
Primary Sources
- Burjeel Holdings. "Burjeel Holdings to Establish the Leading Radiation Oncology Network in the GCC." Press release, February 18, 2025. https://burjeel.com/news/burjeel-holdings-to-establish-the-leading-radiation-oncology-network-in-the-gcc/
- Ministry of Health and Prevention, UAE. "Cancer Incidence in United Arab Emirates Annual Report of the UAE - National Cancer Registry - 2023." https://mohap.gov.ae/en/w/cancer-incidence-in-united-arab-emirates-annual-report-of-the-uae-2023
- Advanced Care Oncology Center. Official website. https://www.acocdubai.com/
- WHO Global Cancer Observatory. "United Arab Emirates Fact Sheet." Globocan 2022. https://gco.iarc.who.int/media/globocan/factsheets/populations/784-united-arab-emirates-fact-sheet.pdf
- Gulf News. "Abu Dhabi's Burjeel to build specialist oncology network in GCC." February 18, 2025. https://gulfnews.com/business/markets/abu-dhabis-burjeel-to-build-specialist-oncology-network-in-gcc-1.500039517
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