Perspectives and innovations in the cure for cancer in Israel

According to Cancerworld (an online publication that publishes research on oncology), a significant increase in cancer cases is predicted by 2025. The disease will become chronic but less likely to be fatal. Researchers and oncologists' efforts aim to prevent cancer, better understand its causes, and find effective treatments. Improvements in technology and techniques, including targeted drugs, will make oncology more controllable. Cancer will be seen as a frequent occurrence rather than a fatal disease. Scientists predict that new technologies can improve the diagnosis and therapy of oncopathologies.

In 2003, cancer diagnosis most often depended on visual analysis of cellular structures under a microscope. By 2025, microscopes will give way to a new generation of scanners capable of detecting molecular changes and visualizing the dynamics of cell activity. This will enable earlier detection of cancerous changes at the molecular level. 

Cancer research in Israel takes into account new medical technologies. This country is one of the first to implement the latest scientific advances. In this article, the Experts Medical team has gathered material for you on innovations that have recently been implemented or will soon be available in Israeli hospitals.

What modern cancer research methods are available to international patients in Israel?

Essential cancer diagnostics practiced by Israeli oncologists include:

• Genetic sequencing. Determines mutations in the DNA of cancer cells, which helps select individualized therapy.
• Liquid biopsy. It shows cancer cells in the blood, which allows to assess the dynamics and response to treatment.
• PET-CT. Detects active atypical cells by their increased glucose consumption, helping to determine the cancer stage. Also, oncologists, thanks to this cancer research in Israel, accurately detect tiny metastases that are not visible on CT scans.
• High-resolution MRI. Provides detailed images of tumors to assess their size and degree of spread throughout the body.

These techniques improve the accuracy of cancer diagnosis and allow for the most effective surgical treatment strategy in combination with therapy.

Artificial intelligence for cancer diagnosis in 2024

In January 2024, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a new device to diagnose skin cancer. DermaSensor is the world's first artificial intelligence (AI)-based tool. This handheld device uses spectroscopy and AI to analyze skin masses. DermaSensor can detect more than 200 tumor types, including melanoma, basal cell and squamous cell skin cancer.

DermaSensor has shown high sensitivity (97%) in detecting skin cancer in clinical trials. This will make it an important tool for oncologists to evaluate suspicious skin masses. The device provides immediate, objective results, which promotes faster and more accurate diagnosis. This will reduce the number of biopsies for patients. 

Another unique development is Sybil's artificial intelligence model, which can predict the likelihood of lung cancer six years before it occurs. The diagnosis is made using a specialized low-dose CT scan. The model is trained on sophisticated imaging data and can predict both short-term and long-term risks of lung cancer.

Is AI being applied to cancer research in Israel?

Sheba in Israel is one of the pioneering hospitals that have implemented AI-assisted platforms for accelerated cancer diagnosis. AI systems can significantly improve screening, treatment and patient care processes. The use of advanced AI technology at Sheba Clinic is a significant step in improving the accuracy of diagnoses and providing a more effective cure for cancer in Israel, resulting in significantly improved survival rates for people with cancer. 

"With the ability to detect biomarkers using AI, we have made meaningful advances in digital pathology diagnosis. The use of such technologies is changing the world of diagnostics and, in some cases, can significantly reduce the cost and time to treat patients for cancer," – Head of the Sheba Institute of Pathology, Barshak I.

Main aspects of cancer treatment in Israel

All these types of cures for cancer are available in leading clinics in Israel. Medical centers have all the necessary equipment and experienced specialists, which brings the country to a leading position in the fight against cancer at the global level. Some cancer centers in Israel work closely with American colleagues. The cooperation of the two best medical systems in the world gives excellent results for patients.

New technologies that can cure cancer in Israel

Key Israeli hospitals conduct research and quality cancer treatment thanks to cooperation with universities. This is a global practice that has long been proven to be effective. Therefore, university hospitals in Israel are on par with American, Spanish and German centers in showing impressive results.

CAR-T cell therapy

This treatment forces immune cells to fight atypical cells in the patient's body. CAR-T has been declared successful for people with leukemia in countries with advanced medicine. The therapy involves removing and genetically altering immune T cells in the laboratory. The revised cells then produce proteins called chimeric antigen receptors (CARs). These recognize and destroy cancer cells. 

In the journal Nature, a scientific publication confirmed that two of the first people treated with CAR-T-cell therapy are in remission 12 years later and feeling fine.

CAR-T therapy has shown impressive results in the treatment of multiple myeloma, which is considered the second most common hematologic disease. This method demonstrates high efficacy at Sheba Clinic in leukemia and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. According to the medical center's cumulative data, more than 90% of patients who have undergone CAR-T therapy have been cured of their cancer. Other advanced Israeli hospitals have also introduced this type of treatment into their programs.

Between 2015 and 2019, more than 250 hopelessly ill adults and children have undergone the CAR-T procedure at the hospital. The success rate of using this therapy according to Sheba Hospital is:

• 85-90% in young children;
• 80% in adolescents;
• 70% of the total number of patients.

By 2022, there are 6 FDA-approved drugs for CAR-T therapy worldwide. They are manufactured by major pharmaceutical companies such as Novartis, Gilead, Kite, Promab, Lonza, and others. These drugs are integrated into the patient's blood, which is shipped to the manufacturer from around the world and returned to the patient in frozen form. This process can take one to two months. In contrast to this lengthy procedure, CAR-T cell therapy at Sheba Medical Center is done on-site in state-of-the-art laboratories in 10 days. This is made possible through the clinic's collaboration with Lonza, a leading specialist in autologous cell therapy.

P-Cure proton therapy

Hadassah Medical Center in Jerusalem is introducing advanced P-Cure proton therapy for treating malignant tumors. This method is an innovative approach that has a precise effect on pathologic tissues. A distinctive feature of P-Cure is more compact equipment, making it easier to install in existing medical facilities.

The P-Cure system combines a proton beam with an oncology CT machine and low-dose X-ray. This enables continuous monitoring of tumor location and morphology. The device allows better targeting of the pathologic focus, avoiding impact on healthy tissue. As a result, treatment efficacy is improved and side effects are reduced.

P-Cure proton therapy has already shown its benefits in clinical trials in 2023. In particular, patients with neck and oral cancer who were no longer helped by traditional treatments noticed an improvement in their condition after using this therapy. Clinical trials are ongoing, and researchers hope to expand the use of this technique further.

What is known about proton therapy in Israel?

According to the May 2023 edition of The Times of Israel, executives at the Ikhilov Clinic (Suraski) have signed a contract to open a proton therapy center. In addition, Tel Aviv's Ikhilov Medical Complex has an agreement with Medtechnica, a Belgian company building the world's largest and most modern proton therapy facility.

"The Ministry of Health gave us the only license to operate a national proton therapy center. We were deemed the most suitable and we began construction of a special building," said Dr. Nathan Strauss, head of Ikhilov's medical physics department.

In the future, the proton therapy departments in Israel will soon be accepting foreign patients. The best treatment effect can be achieved for tumors of the head, neck and spinal cord. One of the values of such therapy is that protons deliver radiation directly to the tumor while leaving almost no output dose of radiation, which passes through the entire body. 

Proton therapy is a proven and safe method of treating tumors.

It is the most advanced and safest type of radiotherapy. In advanced centers around the world, it is used to treat inoperable internal cancers, tumors of the optic nerve and retina. This technology is so safe and effective that it is even used to treat young children with oncology.

Proton therapy sessions require special conditions: a special building where all measures for the operation of such devices are implemented. Until 2024, this type of treatment was available in a small number of clinics in the world. Such centers are located in South Korea, India, the Czech Republic, Germany and Austria. In a separate article, you can read more about the technology and proton therapy centers, with which Experts Medical cooperates. 

How to get the best cure for cancer in Israel?

With the support of Experts Medical, you can access the best cure for cancer in Israel, where you will receive excellent service and personalized care. Over 8 years of experience, we have gathered a base of proven specialists, which allows us to match doctors to each patient on an individual basis.

Our patients are always a special priority for the doctors with whom we have been working for many years. We guarantee to honor all agreements, including the fixed surgery cost, with no unexpected changes. You will be treated by the exact oncologist with whom you had an extramural consultation.

An Experts Medical coordinating physician will accompany you every step of the way, from choosing a clinic to your return home. Your travel arrangements will be fully organized, including accommodation for your travel companion. We are always on call to quickly resolve any questions or requests, ensuring your comfort and safety. With us, you can be assured of receiving quality cures for cancer in Israel.

Sources:

• • https://archive.cancerworld.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Grandround-2.pdf
  • https://www.mskcc.org/news/top-cancer-treatment-advances-at-msk-in-2023
  • https://www.linkedin.com/company/p-cure-ltd/?originalSubdomain=il
  • https://www.aacr.org/blog/2024/01/08/experts-forecast-cancer-research-and-treatment-advances-in-2024-part-1/
  • https://www.targetedonc.com/view/january-2024-fda-news-signals-progress-in-cancer-treatment
  • https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/israel/technology-science/1691520874
  • https://www.timesofisrael.com/proton-therapy-touted-as-cancer-killer-without-side-effects-set-for-israel-debut/