Healthcare with Confidence
Innovative Immune-Based and Targeted Treatments with Personalized Approach
Immunotherapy has become an important modern treatment option for sarcomas, including osteosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, and soft tissue sarcomas. In Israel, immunotherapy and immune-based biological treatments are used as part of personalized sarcoma treatment programs, especially in advanced or resistant disease.
Immunotherapy works by activating the patient’s immune system, helping it recognize and destroy cancer cells while often causing fewer systemic side effects compared to traditional chemotherapy.
How Does Sarcoma Form?
Unlike carcinomas, which arise from epithelial cells, sarcomas develop from connective tissues, including:
- Bone (skeletal sarcoma)
- Muscle
- Fat (adipose tissue)
- Blood vessels
- Fibrous tissue
Sarcoma accounts for up to 15% of all childhood cancers and can also occur in adults. Sarcomas are considered aggressive tumors, and 25–50% of patients treated with standard methods (surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy) may later develop metastatic or treatment-resistant disease.
Because of this, Israeli sarcoma centers actively integrate immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and molecular-based treatment strategies.
Immunotherapy Shows Promising Results in Sarcoma
Immunotherapy has demonstrated activity in sarcoma treatment for many years. Historically, osteosarcoma (bone sarcoma) was among the first tumors studied using immune-based approaches.
FDA-Approved and Clinically Used Immune-Based Therapies
As of today:
- Atezolizumab (Tecentriq)
Approved for unresectable or metastatic alveolar soft tissue sarcoma (ASPS) — a rare soft tissue sarcoma subtype.
Checkpoint inhibitors (used selectively or in clinical trials):
- Pembrolizumab (Keytruda)
- Nivolumab (Opdivo)
These drugs help immune cells recognize and attack cancer cells and may benefit selected sarcoma subtypes.
Targeted and Biological Therapies Used Together with Immunotherapy
While not classical immunotherapy, biological and targeted drugs play a key role in modern sarcoma treatment in Israel and are often combined with immune-based strategies:
- Denosumab (Xgeva)
Used mainly for giant cell tumor of bone and bone protection in skeletal involvement. - Pazopanib (Votrient)
A targeted therapy approved for advanced soft tissue sarcoma after chemotherapy. - Tazemetostat (Tazverik)
FDA-approved for epithelioid sarcoma with specific molecular features (INI1 loss).
Some earlier agents (such as Olaratumab) are no longer used routinely due to updated clinical data, and Israeli treatment protocols follow the most current international guidelines.
Advanced Immunotherapy Approaches Under Study
Israeli sarcoma specialists also participate in international and local clinical trials, evaluating:
- Cancer vaccines
- Monoclonal antibodies
- Cytokine therapy
- Cell-based therapies (including experimental immune cell treatments)
- Combination immunotherapy + targeted therapy regimens
These options may be available to selected patients after expert evaluation.
Personalized Immunotherapy for Sarcoma in Israel
Immunotherapy in Israel is often used as part of a personalized treatment plan, sometimes outside standard protocols, when clinically justified.
Molecular and Genetic Testing
Treatment selection is guided by advanced molecular and genomic testing (NGS), which allows doctors to:
- Analyze the tumor’s genetic profile
- Identify potential immune or molecular targets
- Predict the likelihood of response to specific drugs
This personalized approach increases treatment precision and avoids unnecessary toxicity.
Why Choose Israel for Sarcoma Immunotherapy?
- Specialized sarcoma centers
- Multidisciplinary teams (oncology, orthopedic oncology, immunology, pathology)
- Access to FDA-approved and innovative therapies
- Participation in international clinical trials
- Personalized treatment planning based on molecular diagnostics
