The array for Hemato-Oncology and Pediatric Bone Marrow transplants

The Hemato-Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplant array for children offers advanced and innovative treatments to children and adolescents who come from across the globe. Our unit collaborates with leading pediatric oncology centers in Israel and worldwide, regularly consulting with renowned experts. The wellbeing of the children we treat is our top priority, and our aspiration is to successfully heal every child, in every condition, without exception.

We believe that every cancer has a unique genetic fingerprint, and in fact, no two children have exactly the same growth.

So, to provide personalized treatment for each child, we perform genetic sequencing of their tumor at the DNA (NGS, Methylation profile) and RNA (Nanostring, RNA-seq) levels. When it comes to brain tumors, we have developed a highly effective diagnostic capacity using these methods.

We were recently selected to lead the Israeli research group for brain tumors in children, which is a part of the American organization PNOC: Pediatric Neuro-Oncology Consortium. This means that children with brain tumors, who previously had limited treatment options, can now receive the same advanced care provided by leading medical centers in the US and Europe. 

We also integrate innovative therapies for patients with leukemia (blood cancer). Patients whose condition is refractory or resistant to treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation, and bone marrow transplantation receive immunotherapy, CAR-T therapy, and targeted targeted immunotherapies directly aimed at leukemia cells (such as inotuzumab, ozogamicin and blinatumomab).

In the field of solid tumors, we are leading a new clinical trial as part of the International Pediatric Soft Tissue Sarcoma Society (EPSSG) trial. In addition, we treat neuroblastoma - a common solid tumor that appears in the peripheral nervous system and mainly affects infants and children up to the age of six - with immunotherapy treatments, and collaborate with leading worldwide medical centers when more advanced treatment is required, such as MIBG radiation.

We also treat other disorders, including mitochondrial diseases - which result from a defect in the mitochondria, and can damage all the body's organs and result in death. Today, we're the only team in the world conducting a clinical trial where we remove progenitor cells (stem cells) from the patient's blood, then inject healthy mitochondria into these cells, sourced from the patient's mother or a placenta donation, before returning them to the blood. After undergoing this treatment, we observed a significant improvement in in the condition of sick children.

The Hemato-Oncology array comprises four primary units: a children's bone marrow transplant unit, a night hospitalization department, the Marion and Elie Wiesel Children's Pavilion for supportive care (Beit Wiesel), and an ambulatory system (including a day hospitalization unit and follow-up clinics for ambulatory patients who are not admitted).

Our special services

Personal support for patients and their families: A companion is on hand to guide you from the moment of diagnosis through all stages of treatment and recovery. They are available for any question, consultation, or clarification and will maintain continuous communication with your treating physician.

Paramedical services include psychosocial staff such as social workers, psychologists, art and music therapists, teachers, medical clowns, alternative healers, auxiliary staff, and volunteers.

Information center: you can access detailed and specific information about the diagnosis and treatment stages for different diseases.

Follow-up for convalescents: involves a team of experts, including oncologists, endocrinologists, cardiologists, and radiologists. They monitor patients post-recovery to prevent or minimize long-term side effects of treatments.

Our clinical research unit: collaborates with top medical organizations from Israel and around the world, as well as pharmaceutical companies. Participation in a clinical study involves receiving innovative drugs, long-term follow-up, and analysis of medical information with the assistance of research coordinators.

Basic research laboratory: The research conducted in this lab is led by physicians who have received training in basic science from renowned universities and institutions in Israel and around the world. They are supported by researchers and master's students. The cells under investigation primarily originate from pediatric patients. Research topics include, among others, investigation of resistance mechanisms in brain tumor cells and the development of anti-tumor drugs; identification and characterization of tumor stem cells and  and therapeutic targets; treatment with cannabinoids in neuroblastoma and glioblastoma (a type of aggressive brain tumor) in children, and immunotherapeutic treatment based on natural killer cells (NK cells) belonging to the immune system.