Prof. Gideon Rechavi, MD, PhD, Helms Sheba’s Cutting-Edge Cancer Research Center
Renowned pediatric hematologist, Prof. Gideon Rechavi, MD, PhD, who founded the Sheba Cancer Research Center, leads a team of highly qualified doctors and scientific researchers in cutting-edge clinical and pre-clinical research. These studies enable cancer patients to receive the most innovative diagnostic evaluations and treatments in Israel.
“We are in the midst of a revolution in cancer research and medicine, with Sheba being a pioneer in a number of areas,” explained Prof. Rechavi. “For instance, we’re studying of an aspect of molecular genetics based on the biochemical modifications of RNA, as well as developing innovative anti-cancer immunotherapies. In the latter, our research and experimentation with stem cells is being translated into novel treatments that have eradicated the disease in once desperately ill patients.”
According to Dr. Rechavi, who has published more than 330 scientific papers in renowned journals around the globe, the Sheba Cancer Center is one of only two medical facilities in the world to apply for and utilize TIL (Tumor Infiltrating Lymphocytes) technology, which was developed by the National Institute of Health in the USA. White blood cells (lymphocytes), are taken from a critically ill patient, and are re-engineered in the lab to target tumors. Once they are re-introduced into the patient, the TIL technology works to destroy the tumors. “So far, TIL immunotherapy technology has worked in 27% of patients with stage 4 melanoma, who have failed to respond to any other anti-cancer therapy,” said Dr. Rechavi. “We are constantly studying the results and upgrading the technology. The Cancer Center is planning on conducting clinical trials using TIL technology on other forms of cancer in the coming months.”
In addition to their own research, Sheba doctors also collaborate with leading international research groups and major pharmaceutical and biotech companies. Advanced technologies such as Gene Sequencing, Microarrays, Bioinformatics, Molecular Cytogenetics, Stem Cells and more are being researched, employed and constantly upgraded.
