Israel Cancer Association - Annual Report 2023

Israel Cancer Association // Annual Report 2023

Early Detection Projects and Research Programs

Our long-term goal is to better understand, treat, and prevent the deadly effects of heart disease on tumor growth. In terms of clinical implications, our proposal can promote new therapies to target and limit the harmful interaction between heart disease and cancer. Link to the scientific publication: https://www.ahajournals. org/doi/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.123.066911 Prof. Rotem Karni Research title: The role of RBFOX2 as a suppressor of pancreatic cancer tumor progression and metastasis The aim of this project is to explore the alternative splicing changes that result from RBFOX2 altered expression and to elucidate how they contribute to the process of metastatic pancreatic cancer. We revealed that RBFOX2 acts as a metastatic suppressor in vitro and in vivo, as its overexpression inhibits metastasis and its knockout enhances metastasis. A comparison of metastatic PDA tumor samples with primary PDA tumor samples revealed alterations in levels of splicing factor RBFOX2. Link to the scientific publication: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586 023-05820-3 Prof. Efrat Dagan Research title: The stigma and its expressions in medical encounters with patients and its impact on perceived patient centered care Our ‘in-vivo’ observations of medical encounters expands on previous studies in educational settings in showing how physicians' behaviors impact real patients' experience. The findings may provide a more accurate picture of physicians' supportive and unsupportive behaviors that impact on perceived PCC and anxiety. Patients may prefer their physicians to focus on the informational content related to their disease trajectory rather than focusing on empathy with their emotions. Physicians should be trained in ways to support patients on how to regain emotional control in stressful medical situations. https://www. ejoncologynursing.com/article/S1462-3889(23)00218 1/abstract

The ICA encourages proposals for projects or researches in the area of early detection. In 2023, the Early Detection Committee, headed by Prof. L. Keinan Boker , approved funding for projects by the following researchers: • Dr. Ariel Rokach , Shaare Tzedek Medical Center – Early detection of lung cancer based on the presence of lung-derived cfDNA in plasma. • Dr. Yael Raz , "Lis" Maternity Hospital, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center – Chlamydia Trachomatis infection in primary fallopian tubes and ovarian cancer. • Dr. Milana Frenkel-Morgenstern , Bar-Ilan University – Liquid Biopsy of early diagnostics of glioblastoma using chimeric genes. • Dr. Rotem Meroz , Shamir Medical Center – Using the validated 'treatment-induced-neuropathy assessment scale (TNAS) before and during taxane based chemotherapy as means for early detection of subsequent neuropathy. Scientific Publications of ICA-funded Researches Prof. Jonathan Leor Research title: The role of cardiac extracellular vesicles in tumor growth Heart diseases and cancer are common diseases with mechanistic similarities and harmful interactions. However, while heart disease might promote tumor growth, the mechanisms that link heart disease to cancer remain elusive, and specific therapies are limited. Extracellular vesicles are lipid-bound vesicles secreted by cells and transmit biological information to close and distant cells. Based on our initial promising results, we aim to determine whether the diseased heart releases small vesicles, disseminates signals to the tumor vicinity, and accelerates tumor growth.

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