Clinical Trials Lead to New Cancer Treatment

A research, conducted by Prof. Avraham Hochberg of the Silberman Institute of Life Sciences at a Hebrew University of Jerusalem, led to the development of a product that has been shown in clinical trials to be successful in halting the growth of various types of cancer cells.

Professor Hochberg proved that H19 gene is expressed in over 33 different forms of cancer and he succeeded in isolating this gene in humans. Among the types of cancer it is expressed in, we mention superficial bladder carcinoma and pancreatic, ovarian and metastatic liver cancer.

This gene, according to researchers, is an important actor in the tumor development process by enabling tumor cells to survive under stress conditions. Among these stress conditions there are low serum and low oxygen levels, that are typical conditions of the environment in which cancerous cells develop.

The aspects discovered by this research make the scientist believe they can find a drug that can suppress the expression of H19 gene and in this way provide benefits that are competitive with existing treatment methods.

Yissum Research Development Company of the Hebrew University patented the research of Professor Hochberg. Yissum established BioCancell Inc. in 2005, a company that is now traded in the Tel Aviv stock exchange (TASE).

The Kaye Innovation Awards have been given annually since 1994, Professor Hochberg receiving one for this discovery. “Isaac Kaye of England, a prominent industrialist in the pharmaceutical industry, established the awards to encourage faculty, staff and students of the Hebrew University to develop innovative methods and inventions with good commercial potential which will benefit the university and society.”