Israeli Hospital Pioneers Innovative Alpha Radiation Treatment for Aggressive Brain Cancer

For the first time in Israel, a patient with recurrent glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer, received a novel alpha radiation therapy at Hadassah Medical Center in Ein Kerem. The treatment was administered as part of an initial clinical trial evaluating the feasibility and safety of the method, which involves implanting tiny alpha radiation sources directly into the tumor from two separate trajectories simultaneously. This dual-path approach aims to achieve more precise and comprehensive coverage of the cancerous area while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy brain tissue.

The procedure was led by Professor Yigal Shoshan, head of the Neuro-Oncology and Stereotactic Radiosurgery Unit at Hadassah, who explained that the technology integrates seamlessly with existing neurosurgical navigation systems used daily for highly accurate brain biopsies. After confirming active disease through biopsy, the same navigation system guided the precise placement of alpha radiation sources, enabling a minimally invasive local treatment without the need for extensive brain surgery.

Developed by the Israeli company Alpha Tau, the Alpha DaRT technology emits high biological efficacy alpha particles with a very short range, concentrating radiation on the tumor while sparing healthy tissue. Preclinical studies also suggest the treatment may stimulate an immune response against the tumor in other brain regions, an area currently under active research.

Glioblastoma is the most common primary malignant brain tumor in adults, with limited treatment options upon recurrence. Approximately 150-250 new cases are diagnosed annually in Israel, with a median survival of 15-16 months and only about 10% surviving five years post-diagnosis. Professor Aharon Popovtzer, director of the Sharet Oncology Institute, emphasized the importance of exploring innovative therapies through controlled clinical trials given the poor prognosis for recurrent disease.

Parallel trials in the United States have shown promising early results, including complete local disease control in treated areas and no detectable tumor on MRI in some patients. Hadassah plans to expand the clinical program to include patients with brain metastases, especially those unresponsive to surgery or stereotactic radiosurgery. Alpha Tau CEO Uzi Sofer highlighted the significance of bringing this Israeli-developed technology to patients in Israel, marking a major milestone for the company.

Hadassah stresses that this is a phase one clinical trial focused on safety and feasibility; further studies will be needed to assess clinical efficacy before wider adoption.