In recent years, there have been many developments in the field of cancer treatments, which are changing the way we deal with the disease. Many treatments and developments are currently in various experimental stages, including blue and white developments such as the technology of the Israeli immuno-oncology company NeoTX. “Our treatment is basically focused on activating the immune system against the cancerous growth,” she said in a special interview Dr. Michal Shachar“In fact, our immune system can treat many tumors, and we only help it do the job. After it receives this help, it attacks the tumor and prevents the formation of metastases in the patient’s body, or God forbid the tumor returns.”
“Our goal is to prevent such a condition,” she stressed. And actually enters the cancerous growth, while identifying the cancer cells in the body. ”
In other words, does your development actually mark the tumor prominently and “send” the immune system to it?
“Exactly. It’s a manipulation of the body’s immune system. We tell her something bad is happening here, and so she stops ‘cooperating’ with the tumor, and starts attacking it.”
She noted that first, they performed experiments on mice, which show that their drug, in conjunction with additional treatment, “causes immune memory – a condition in which the body remembers the tumor, and knows how to attack it if it returns, and actually prevent its re-development. Now, we perform the The first stage in a clinical trial in Israel. “
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Dr. Shachar added: “As part of the trial, which is being conducted in conjunction with another drug from the Astraznica company, we are examining the effect on cancerous tumors of patients in critical condition. These are particularly lengthy and challenging experiments, as cancerous tumors can develop throughout the organs of the body, and are different from each other in the structure and molecules that make them up. At this stage, patients are experimenting with only tumors of a certain type that have a specific molecule. “
“Right now – we are optimistic and there are interesting directions and successes, along with the thought of expanding the research to more countries,” she said, “but in any case, this is just the beginning and such experiments take years. At the same time, we are working on the second phase of the experiment. The drug must be given frequently to be effective – and for what tumors. ” She revealed that “as part of the second phase, there is an experiment in the United States to treat lung cancer, which involves combining the drug with chemotherapy – something that has great potential.”
Later in the interview, Dr. Shachar recounted how he came to her field of practice, which even today, the number of women is lower than that of men, probably when examining the graduate degrees. Them, certainly when it comes to graduate degrees, “she noted,” I finished my doctorate many years ago, at a time when the biotech field was not so common, but since I was a little girl it was clear to me that I would go for research, despite many dilemmas I encountered along the way. “For example, when I went on to pursue a master’s degree in biochemistry, I was torn between a degree in dentistry (which was easier) and the doctorate I eventually chose, which was the more difficult path of the two.”
Why do you think there is still a gap between the numbers of men and women in these areas?
“In my early years, and not only, I got to work with entrepreneurs, but they were not many. The fact that I saw women in senior positions, who led projects, helped me understand that progress can be made. One of the differences between men and women is that they are not afraid to fail. .
The senior researcher added: “I gave birth to my first daughter during my doctoral studies, and in the lab where I worked at Bar Ilan we were just women – except maybe one man who broke out for a short time – which shows that there are a lot of women in the field. Over the years, the situation has clearly improved. ” She added that “when working with women – you need to give them more flexibility and the ability to work from home. They are more efficient than men and know how to manage when they are limited in time. And if they get pregnant – then you can manage without them during maternity leave.
Dr. Shachar concluded: “I really see a change in the subject – and today there are a lot of entrepreneurial and talented women at Biomed. It’s not easy for a lot of reasons, among other things because you have to push yourself, and women are less likely to do it, or take risks. “