12:08, 09-Apr-2018
Cancer Treatment: Cutting-edge therapy & China market
[]
Share
Copied
Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide and the number of cases is expected to rise 70 percent over the next 20 years. Scientists are scrambling to find a cure for the deadly disease and that includes some Tel Aviv researchers who say they've got a breakthrough treatment that they hope to bring to China. CGTN's Stephanie Freid has more from Tel Aviv.
What if cancer could be effectively treated WITHOUT multiple radiation sessions & surgeries, debilitating side effects and huge costs? In Tel Aviv, a group of physicians and scientists say that's what they've developed.
DR. YONA KEISARI, CHIEF BIOMEDICAL OFFICER ALPHA TAU MEDICAL "Our method is unique in the principle which is using alpha emitting atoms instead of beta or gamma radiation."
What does that mean? Their brand of alpha radiation therapy targets tumors but introduces less radioactive material into the body than conventional radiation. It's less damaging to surrounding healthy tissue AND it activates an immune response. If cancer returns post-treatment, the body recognizes and rejects it.
ITZHAK KELSON, CHIEF PHYSICS OFFICER ALPHA TAU MEDICAL "Instead of exploding at a given point, it released small bombs which go to large distances and explode over there."
Alpha saturated "seeds" are injected into the body, the radioactive material disintegrates within eight days.
Dr. YONA KEISARI, CHIEF BIOMEDICAL OFFICER ALPHA TAU MEDICAL "No. Not whatsoever."
Clinical trials show an 80% success rate in eradicating cancer. That is catching China's attention.
DR. CHIEN-SHING CHEN, EXEC DIRECTOR SHANGHAI INT'L CANCER CTR "Cancer now is the number one medical condition and or you can say killer in China now. The burden of the disease - cancer - is huge now for China. And the resources are limited."
Injectable therapy is practical for treating China's village-dwelling cancer patients who lack funds for and access to treatment centers in major cities like Beijing or Shanghai.
DR. CHIEN-SHING CHEN, EXEC DIRECTOR SHANGHAI INT'L CANCER CTR, TEL AVIV "As medical practitioners, we are constantly looking for something that we have a sense that this can potentially be very useful for our patient population."
Dr. Chen wants to bring Alpha Tau clinical trials to his Shanghai hospital. Trials are currently set to start this year at a top cancer treatment facility in New York. STEPHANIE FREID, CGTN, TEL AVIV.