New Targeted Therapies Revolutionize Breast Cancer Treatment and Survival in Israel
In recent years, breast cancer treatment in Israel has undergone a significant transformation, moving away from a one-size-fits-all approach to personalized therapies tailored to the tumor's biological profile. Dr. Amit Itay, a medical oncologist specializing in breast cancer at Sheba Medical Center, highlights that while the fundamental medical approaches remain, the pharmaceutical arsenal has expanded dramatically. New treatments include immunotherapy, biologic antibodies linked to chemotherapy, and targeted drugs such as CDK4/6 inhibitors, PARP inhibitors for BRCA mutation carriers, and SERD drugs that degrade estrogen receptors, all contributing to more precise and effective care with fewer side effects.
Breast cancer remains the most common cancer among women in Israel, but it is now understood as a group of distinct subtypes: hormone receptor-positive (HR-positive), HER2-positive, and the more aggressive triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). A newly recognized intermediate group, HER2-low, has shown significant survival benefits from targeted therapies despite not being traditionally classified as HER2-positive.
A breakthrough in treatment is the development of Antibody-Drug Conjugates (ADC), which combine a biologic antibody that targets cancer cells with chemotherapy agents. This "smart" delivery system allows chemotherapy to be released directly inside cancer cells, improving efficacy and reducing collateral damage. Dr. Itay notes that although ADC side effects can still be serious, their biological precision has shifted the benefit-risk balance positively. Approximately 40%-50% of metastatic breast cancer patients fall into the HER2-low category, making these advances impactful for thousands of women.
While early-stage breast cancer has high cure rates, metastatic breast cancer remains incurable, with about 30% of patients surviving five years post-diagnosis. However, recent therapeutic breakthroughs are enabling many women to live longer and with better quality of life. Dr. Itay emphasizes the urgent need to continue developing new drugs and to ensure that proven treatments are accessible promptly. The challenge now lies in translating laboratory successes into health policy to guarantee immediate availability of life-extending therapies for all patients in need.
This report is provided as a public service with support from AstraZeneca, without editorial involvement. Patients are advised to consult their healthcare providers for more information.
