More Precise, Less Destructive: The Revolution in Cancer Treatment

One of the most prominent trends in oncological medicine is theranostics: an emerging field in nuclear medicine combining the diagnosis and treatment of cancerous tumors. "The term is a portmanteau of 'therapy' and 'diagnostics,'" explains Erez Levy, CEO of GE HealthCare Israel. "In recent years, we've seen a new generation of isotopic treatments fighting tumors in a targeted way, without extensive side effects. This is one of the areas for which we're currently developing imaging technologies at GE HealthCare."

Behind the rapidly growing field of theranostics lies a method for locating cancer cells in the patient's body. "Behind the rapidly growing field of theranostics lies a method for locating cancer cells in the patient's body. "Theranostics is based on a using radioactive materials (isotopes) carried on a molecule that target proteins ('receptors') on the tumor cell's membrane" Levy explains. "A small amount is injected into the patient's bloodstream and binds to the receptor on the cancer cells. When the radioactive isotope releases gamma rays, we can precisely identify the location of the cancer using PET/CT. This principle has enabled us to diagnose cancer for more than 25 years, and today we know how to detect tumors as small as a few millimetres."

As noted, in recent years, the development of various isotopes has led to innovative cancer treatments. "The major breakthrough came with the realization that the same targeted mechanism can be used both to identify cancer and to eliminate it," he adds. "The pharmaceutical industry has discovered that certain radioactive materials release two types of rays: gamma rays, which are detected by our imaging devices, and beta rays, which can kill cancer. In other words, we inject the radioactive material into the patient's body, which then reaches the desired point and treats the disease. These innovative treatments can be viewed as guided missiles that cause almost no side effects."

Israeli developments in molecular imaging
This is just one example of the medical innovation led by GE HealthCare worldwide. "Our activities at GE HealthCare Israel are based on Elscint, a company that led innovative developments in imaging and was acquired by GE in the late 1990s," notes Erez Levy. "Since then, our center in Israel has played a significant role in the global operations of GE. We maintain not only a development and manufacturing center in Israel but also a complete business operation, including marketing and sales, with a volume of about two billion dollars. GE HealthCare Israel holds a leading position in the oncological imaging world: Israeli-based developments help save lives worldwide."

The main activity of GE HealthCare Israel is in the field of molecular imaging. "The two main product lines in molecular imaging are PET/CT, which most cancer patients are familiar with, and SPECT/CT. Indeed, these products belong to the same family of imaging tests. Of approximately 850 employees at GE HealthCare in Israel, the vast majority are involved in developing PET/CT and SPECT/CT products. We develop, manufacture, and also manage the global business operations."

"Beyond that, the company operates an additional development center dedicated to developing portable wireless ultrasound. This is not the ultrasound familiar from obstetrics but a device used in intensive care in emergency rooms. The goal of portable ultrasound is to bring the device to the patient, therefore the important mission here is mobility. Finally, our activities also include a digital unit that focuses mainly on AI and digital technology and includes a service and sales unit for our customers in Israel."

The research and development teams at GE HealthCare Israel are currently working on developing more advanced imaging devices that will allow the identification of cancerous tumors at earlier stages than in the past. "As detection capability and sensor sensitivity advance, we can see tumors and metastases of a smaller size," Levy explains. "Digital, advanced, AI-based PET/CT makes possible the identification of very small tumors in short scanning times, which helps reduce the problem of long waiting lists in Israel and worldwide."

Moving to targeted and personalized treatments
The side effects of conventional chemotherapy are a significant problem. Ultimately, the active ingredient in chemotherapy is a substance that damages the normal function of healthy tissues and consequently affects the patient's quality of life. "Theranostics provides an opportunity to create an alternative with much more limited side effects," Levy explains. "Currently, these isotope treatments are approved for various cancers such as thyroid, prostate, and endocrine tumors, but the industry is now working on developing similar radiation-based targeted drugs for most common types of cancer. We expect to transition in the coming years to more targeted treatment than in the past, with advanced AI-based systems allowing us to predict how patients will respond to treatment."

Levy points out the crucial role of AI in developing the next generation of oncological treatments. "Artificial intelligence is taking its first steps in the field of nuclear medicine. GE HealthCare is a leading company in this field, but nearly all companies in nuclear medicine are developing solutions that will change existing paradigms through AI. The big question is how to integrate AI for this purpose. Naturally, the medical world is evidence-based, so AI will serve as an additional significant tool in treatment."

"AI also contributes greatly to the field of theranostics. It can improve the scanning quality and detection of cancerous tumors. For example, we use deep learning and AI systems to improve the image quality. AI also helps us examine responsiveness to treatments. For patients with advanced disease, AI has the potential to serve as a significant and effective diagnostic tool for response to treatment, reducing suffering and sparing patients the ineffective treatments."

According to Erez Levy, the new oncological treatments are expected to revolutionize the treatment of cancer tumors. "This market is currently valued at five billion dollars but it is expected to reach 35 billion by 2030," he concludes. "Our goal is to support this transition from existing conventional cancer treatments to targeted and personalized ones."

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