Health Ministry Finds Illegal Experimental Cancer Treatment Was Given at Maayanei HaYeshua

Israel’s Health Ministry said Sunday that a review found serious violations in an experimental cancer treatment given at Maayanei HaYeshua Hospital under the label of “compassionate treatment.” A committee appointed by the public complaints commissioner for medical professions concluded the treatment was carried out unlawfully, without Health Ministry approval, in breach of procedures, and with misleading information provided.

The case involved an 84-year-old man who, in February 2019, sought treatment with Gammora, an experimental drug from a pharmaceutical company, after being diagnosed with advanced pancreatic cancer and metastases. The drug was administered at the hospital as compassionate care, but without ministry authorization. During treatment, the patient developed sudden neurological symptoms. At his and his family’s request, the treatment was stopped, and he died a few weeks later.

The committee examined the hospital’s Helsinki committee procedures, the approval process, how the drug was prepared and used, and the conduct of those involved in the decision and administration. It found the treatment did not meet the legal requirements for any available pathway, including a medical trial, emergency treatment or compassionate use. The drug had not been approved for use in humans, and its import approval to Israel had been granted on the basis that it was intended for laboratory use only.

According to the findings, the substance was repurposed for human treatment and prepared by people without the proper training. The committee also found that misleading information was given to the approving committee, and that the hospital’s approval relied on an earlier authorization given to another patient at Ichilov Hospital. The report said there were major failures in approval, oversight and supervision, and stressed that these were “conscious failures,” not a systemic accident or random mistake. Still, it did not determine that the experimental treatment caused the man’s death, saying a link cannot be ruled out but neither can it be proven with high certainty, and that he may have died from the progression of his severe cancer. The ministry said it will continue reviewing the hospital’s conduct and may take enforcement steps after receiving responses from those involved.