Double Strike Against Neuroblastoma: Israel and the USA Join Forces
In early March 2025, the Israeli biotechnology company BioMed and a group of American researchers from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) announced the launch of a joint project to develop a vaccine against neuroblastoma — a rare but extremely aggressive cancer of the nervous system that most often affects children under five years old. The project combines Israel's advanced immunotherapy technologies with American experience in clinical research.
The first experiments conducted on animal models showed impressive results: tumours decreased by 40% in test mice after the prototype vaccine was administered. This discovery was made possible by the use of an innovative approach that stimulates the immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells.
According to Dr. Rafi Levi, head of the scientific team at BioMed, the goal is to create an effective treatment that can replace existing methods, such as chemotherapy, which often causes severe side effects in young patients. A pilot study on humans is scheduled for the end of 2025 in Israel, highlighting the ambitious timeline of the project.
Mechanism of Action of the Vaccine
The new vaccine works by activating T-cells — key elements of the immune system that can attack tumour cells. It is based on a combination of synthetic peptides specific to neuroblastoma and adjuvants that enhance the immune response. Scientists at BioMed have developed a unique delivery platform that allows for precise targeting of the vaccine to the tumour, minimizing impact on healthy tissues. American partners, in turn, provided data on genetic mutations characteristic of this type of cancer, which helped increase the specificity of the drug.
Unlike traditional vaccines against infections, this development does not prevent disease but treats existing tumours, making it therapeutic. In preclinical trials, the vaccine demonstrated not only a reduction in tumour size but also prevention of metastasis in 60% of cases.
Researchers note that the technology can be adapted for other types of childhood cancers, opening up prospects for broader application. The teams are currently working on optimizing the vaccine composition and preparing for the transition to the clinical phase.
Significance for Children and Medicine
Neuroblastoma is diagnosed in thousands of children worldwide each year, and in half of the cases, the disease is detected at the metastatic stage, when survival chances are less than 50%. The collaboration between Israel and the USA in developing the vaccine offers hope for a breakthrough in treating this severe disease. The success of the project could radically change therapy standards, reducing reliance on aggressive methods such as high-dose chemotherapy and bone marrow transplantation.
After the completion of pilot trials in Israel at the end of 2025, plans are in place to expand research in the USA, where NCI will allocate additional resources to expedite the process. Experts predict that if successful, the vaccine will be available to patients by 2028, saving thousands of lives. This collaboration also strengthens Israel's position as a leader in oncological innovations and underscores the importance of international partnerships in the fight against cancer. Parents of children with neuroblastoma and charitable foundations have already expressed support for the project, awaiting its results with great optimism.