Doctors at Rabin Medical Center have successfully produced genetically engineered cellular therapy, suitable even for patients with treatment-resistant disease. Recently, the first three myeloma patients were successfully treated at Davidoff Cancer Center. Prof Gal Markel: “Soon, we will harness the advanced therapeutic developments to target solid tumors such as lung and liver cancer, and later, autoimmune diseases".
A major medical breakthrough has taken place at the Davidoff Cancer Center at Rabin Medical Center. In the laboratories of the Samueli Integrative Cancer Pioneering Institute, scientists have begun in-house production of genetically engineered cell therapies based on CAR-T (Chimeric Antigen Receptor) technology, designed also for multiple myeloma patients whose disease is resistant to several lines of treatment.
The first three patients underwent the procedure without any unusual complications and were discharged home as planned. CAR-T technology represents one of the most advanced innovations in modern cancer care. Immune system cells (T-cells) are taken from the patient and genetically engineered in the lab so they can identify and destroy myeloma cells. The retroviral vector technology to equip T-cells with myeloma-targeting CARs was developed in the labs of Dr. Armin Rehm and Dr. Uta Höpken at the Max Delbrück Center in Berlin, Germany. The engineered cells are then reinfused into the patient’s body, where they attack the cancer.
Each year in Israel, about 550 new patients are diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a cancer of the bone marrow. While treatment options and life expectancy have improved significantly, some patients do not respond to existing therapies, making advanced treatments urgently needed.
The Samueli Integrative Cancer Pioneering Institute, led by Avner Paz-Tsuk, was established in 2023 and operates under the highest international standards for advanced therapy production. Its work is integrated within the Hemato-Oncology Division, headed by Prof. Pia Raanani. The CAR-T program is led by Prof. Michal Besser, Chief Technology Officer at Samueli Institute & the Davidoff Cancer Center. The clinical study is directed by Prof. Moshe Yeshurun, Head of the Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, in collaboration with Dr. Iuliana Vaxman, Head of the Center for Multiple Myeloma and Rare Plasma Cell Disorders, and with Prof. Salomon Stemmer, Deputy Director of the Davidoff Center and Co-Founder of the Samueli Institute. The retroviral vector that delivers the gene encoding the engineered CAR into cells was provided by researchers at the Max Delbrück Center.
Dr. Iuliana Vaxman, Head of the Center for Multiple Myeloma and Rare Plasma Cell Disorders at the Davidoff Cancer Center, Rabin Medical Center: "Within our Hematology Division, we established a dedicated center for multiple myeloma and rare plasma cell diseases. As part of a clinical study, we began administering this treatment, and the early results show a very positive response. This is significant news for these patients. Our goal is to provide comprehensive care within the new center, and the availability of this innovative, locally produced technology at RMC will allow us to achieve that.”
Prof. Gal Markel, Director of the Davidoff Cancer Center at Rabin Medical Center: "In a short time, we have established advanced capabilities for developing and manufacturing original therapies using cutting-edge technologies. Combined with our clinical expertise, this positions Rabin Medical Center as a leader in advanced cancer treatment. This remarkable achievement belongs to the Samueli Institute and the dedicated teams of the Davidoff Hematology Division, who worked in full synergy- from production to patient care. Soon, we will expand CAR-T development and treatment to include solid tumors such as liver and lung cancer, and later autoimmune diseases, all produced and administered right here under one roof.”
Video>>
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bUFJVPvAShuY5XMOdhqRe5xPg987MC7T/view?usp=sharing
No comments:
Post a Comment