King Faisal Specialist Hospital, Riyadh – United Arab Emirates
About Dr. Mouhab Ayas
Dr. Mouhab Ayas is a Senior Consultant in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation and one of the region's most experienced paediatric HSCT experts. He is an internationally recognised Pediatric Stem Cell Transplantation authority, particularly in sickle cell disease, Fanconi anaemia and primary immunodeficiency transplants.
- 25+ years of clinical experience in paediatric bone marrow transplantation
- Leads one of the largest paediatric stem cell transplant programmes in the Middle East
- Performed curative HSCT in 129 children with severe sickle cell disease over 14 years
- Expert in haploidentical HSCT with post-transplant cyclophosphamide for children without matched donors
- Trusted by international families for complex paediatric bone marrow transplantation in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Qualifications & Credentials
Medical Degrees
- MD — Medical University
- Paediatric Residency Training
Fellowships & Special Training
- Fellowship in Pediatric Hematology / Oncology
- Fellowship in Pediatric Stem Cell Transplantation
Certifications & Accreditations
- Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS) Registration
- Member — European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT)
- Member — American Society of Hematology (ASH)
Areas of Expertise
Major Conditions Treated
- Paediatric Acute Leukaemia (ALL, AML)
- Severe Sickle Cell Disease
- Fanconi Anaemia
- Severe Aplastic Anaemia
- Primary Immunodeficiency Disorders (SCID, LAD-1)
- Thalassaemia Major
- Inherited Bone Marrow Failure Syndromes
- Paediatric Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia
Sub-specialties
- Paediatric Allogeneic HSCT: Matched related, unrelated and haploidentical transplants — a leading Pediatric Stem Cell Transplantation specialist in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
- HSCT for Haemoglobinopathies: Curative transplantation for sickle cell disease and thalassaemia.
- HSCT for Inherited Bone Marrow Failure: Fanconi anaemia-specific reduced-intensity conditioning regimens.
Advanced Procedures & Treatments
- Matched Sibling Donor Allogeneic HSCT
- Matched Unrelated Donor HSCT
- Haploidentical HSCT with Post-Transplant Cyclophosphamide
- Umbilical Cord Blood Transplantation
- Reduced-Intensity & Myeloablative Conditioning Regimens
- Graft-versus-Host Disease (GvHD) Prophylaxis and Management
- Chimerism Monitoring & Late-Effect Surveillance
Professional Experience
Current Affiliation
- King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSHRC), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia — Consultant, Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy Section, Department of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology (Present)
Past Affiliations
- Information not publicly available.
Academic & Research Roles
- Principal investigator / co-investigator — Multiple EBMT multicentre studies
- Reviewer for peer-reviewed haematology and transplantation journals
- Teaching faculty — Paediatric Hematology/Oncology fellowship programme
Key Achievements
- Over 200 peer-reviewed publications and 3,600+ citations in HSCT research
- Led sickle cell HSCT programme transplanting 129 children over 14 years with cerebral vasculopathy protection
- Key contributor to international EBMT registry studies on inherited bone marrow failure
Awards & Recognitions
National & International Awards
- Information not publicly available.
Professional Memberships
- European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT)
- American Society of Hematology (ASH)
- Worldwide Network for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (WBMT)
Research & Publications
Published Papers (Selected)
- Saleh M, Ayas M. "Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in severe pediatric sickle cell disease: outcome and long-term complications." Mediterranean Journal of Hematology and Infectious Diseases. 2025;17(1):e2025030.
- Ayas M, Siddiqui K, Al-Jefri A, et al. "Does Mixed Chimerism After Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation in Pediatric Patients With Fanconi Anemia Impact on Outcome?" Transplantation and Cellular Therapy. 2021;27(3):257.e1-257.e6. DOI:10.1016/j.jtct.2020.11.024
- Al-Jefri A, Siddiqui K, Al-Oraibi A, et al. (Ayas M). "Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Stabilizes Cerebral Vasculopathy in High-Risk Pediatric Sickle Cell Disease Patients." Journal of Hematology. 2022;11(1):8-14. DOI:10.14740/jh949
- Ayas M, Al-Jefri A, Al-Mahr M, et al. "Stem cell transplantation for patients with Fanconi anemia with low-dose cyclophosphamide and antithymocyte globulins without the use of radiation therapy." Bone Marrow Transplantation. 2005. DOI:10.1038/sj.bmt.1704787
- Belgaumi AF, Al-Shehri A, Ayas M, et al. "Clinical characteristics and treatment outcome of pediatric patients with chronic myeloid leukemia." Haematologica. 2010;95(7):1211-1215. DOI:10.3324/haematol.2009.015180
Ongoing Research & Clinical Interests
- HSCT outcomes in paediatric sickle cell disease
- Fanconi anaemia transplantation protocols
- Haploidentical HSCT with post-transplant cyclophosphamide in children
- Late effects and survivorship post-HSCT
Estimated Treatment Costs
| Procedure / Consultation | Estimated Cost (SAR) | Estimated Cost (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Paediatric HSCT Consultation | SAR 500 – SAR 1,500 | $135 – $400 |
| Allogeneic Matched Sibling HSCT (package) | SAR 250,000 – SAR 500,000 | $66,665 – $133,335 |
| Haploidentical HSCT (package) | SAR 350,000 – SAR 700,000 | $93,335 – $186,665 |
| Matched Unrelated Donor HSCT (package) | SAR 400,000 – SAR 800,000 | $106,665 – $213,335 |
| Post-Transplant Follow-up (per visit) | SAR 500 – SAR 2,000 | $135 – $535 |
*Indicative estimates only. Actual costs subject to hospital pricing, case complexity, and insurance. Contact Cancer Rounds for a personalised quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What advanced technologies does Dr. Mouhab Ayas use in Pediatric Stem Cell Transplantation (Hematology / Oncology) treatment?
Dr. Mouhab Ayas uses modern haematopoietic stem cell transplantation techniques including matched sibling, matched unrelated donor, and haploidentical HSCT with post-transplant cyclophosphamide. Myeloablative and reduced-intensity conditioning regimens are tailored per disease. Remote second opinions are available to international families via Cancer Rounds.
2. What conditions does Dr. Mouhab Ayas specialize in treating?
Dr. Mouhab Ayas is a Pediatric Stem Cell Transplantation specialist treating childhood leukaemia, severe sickle cell disease, Fanconi anaemia, severe aplastic anaemia, primary immunodeficiency disorders, thalassaemia major and inherited bone marrow failure syndromes. Families from the Gulf and beyond seek expert paediatric bone marrow transplantation in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
3. How do I book an appointment with Dr. Mouhab Ayas?
Appointments with Dr. Mouhab Ayas can be booked directly through the Cancer Rounds website or by contacting their international patient department for priority scheduling.
4. Can international patients receive treatment from Dr. Mouhab Ayas?
Yes. Cancer Rounds provides full assistance for international patients seeking treatment from Dr. Mouhab Ayas, including medical visa invitation letters, airport transfers, and local accommodation coordination.
5. What support is available for international patients?
International patients benefit from a dedicated concierge service provided by Cancer Rounds, including language interpretation, financial counselling, and pre-travel virtual consultations to review medical records before arrival.
6. Does Dr. Mouhab Ayas offer second opinions for Pediatric Stem Cell Transplantation (Hematology / Oncology) cases?
Yes. Second opinion consultations for paediatric HSCT cases — including sickle cell disease, Fanconi anaemia and primary immunodeficiency — can be arranged via Cancer Rounds with Dr. Mouhab Ayas, an expert Pediatric Stem Cell Transplantation specialist in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
