For the first time in the world: An innovative Israeli trial for pancreatic cancer

News from the world of Israeli research: The Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov) and the Israeli biotechnology company Silenseed are launching an innovative clinical trial for patients with pancreatic cancer — one of the deadliest types of cancer. The experimental treatment, developed in Israel, is designed to silence one of the most common mutations in the disease in an attempt to inhibit the development of the tumor and metastases. If successful, it may open the door to a new therapeutic approach for patients whose treatment options are still limited.

One of the deadliest types of cancer

Pancreatic cancer is considered one of the most difficult types of cancer to treat. In many cases, it is discovered only at an advanced stage of the disease, when treatment options are more limited. In about 90% of cases, there is a mutation in the KRAS gene, which is considered one of the main drivers of tumor growth and spread. Despite decades of research around the world, the development of targeted treatment against KRAS has been considered for years one of the greatest challenges in the field of oncology.

How the innovative treatment works

The treatment being tested, SIL204, was developed by Silenseed and is based on siRNA (small interfering RNA) technology — short RNA molecules designed to specifically silence the expression of the mutant KRAS gene within tumor cells. As part of the study, the treatment will be injected directly into the tumor, in combination with the currently accepted systemic treatment, with the goal of inhibiting one of the main mechanisms that drive the progression of the disease.

Ichilov will be the first in the world to recruit patients

The Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov) was chosen to be the first center in the world to recruit patients for the trial. In the first stage, about 18 patients are expected to participate to test the safety of the treatment, and later the study is expected to expand to other medical centers in Israel, Germany, and other countries, involving about 166 participants.

---

"Treatment for pancreatic cancer is in the midst of a revolution"

According to Prof. Ravit Geva, Director of the Oncology Institute and the Center for Gastrointestinal Tumors at Ichilov and the study leader:

"Treatment for pancreatic cancer is in the midst of a revolution. We are proud to be the first center in the world and to lead the Israeli development that combines injecting the treatment directly into the tumor in addition to systemic treatment for patients whose disease is locally advanced and unresectable. The study is made possible thanks to the cooperation between the company and a broad team at Ichilov including gastroenterology, oncology, surgery, imaging, and research teams."

"A crucial stage on the way to a new treatment option"

Ilan Hadar, Chairman and CEO of Silenseed, added:

"The start of the study at Ichilov marks the transition of SIL204 from years of development and preparation to an active clinical program. For the company, this is a crucial stage on the way to examining the central question: can targeted and broad silencing of KRAS become a new therapeutic answer for pancreatic cancer patients, who still urgently need better treatment options."

The road is still long

Despite the hope that the study raises, it is important to emphasize that this is a clinical trial in its early stages. Its primary goal is to test the safety of the treatment and subsequently its efficacy, so it is still too early to know if it will indeed improve the chances of recovery or extend the lives of patients. However, the very start of the trial and the fact that Israel is leading it for the first time in the world mark another significant step in the effort to develop innovative treatments against one of the deadliest types of cancer.