Israeli researchers at a blood cancer conference in the US reported a lymphoma treatment that can achieve 100% survival rates. The results, compiled across 15 medical centers, revealed that patients treated with a combined chemo-biologic regimen achieved outcomes that exceeded previous standards of care.
Data from the trial showed that nearly all participants responded to treatment that combines chemotherapy with targeted biological therapy. They reported that 95% of patients experienced complete recovery and 83% saw an almost total disappearance of the illness after two treatment sessions. Only 4% of patients required additional radiation therapy, a much lower rate than with conventional treatments. The one-year survival rate was 100%.
Dr. Zvi Forgas of Soroka Medical Center and Dr. Tzofia Levy of Rambam Health Care Campus led the effort, coordinating contributions from hospitals across the country. Levy, who is presenting the results at ASH, said the initiative marks a turning point in treating the disease. She explained that this approach enabled rapid disease control, often within weeks, and in many cases produced what she described as clear paths to recovery. Levy added that, for the first time, gathering unified national data allowed Israeli teams to highlight their collective experience on a global stage.
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Hodgkin lymphoma accounts for roughly a tenth of lymphoma cases. It often affects younger adults, typically presenting with swollen lymph nodes and symptoms such as fever, night sweats, and weight loss. Diagnosis relies on biopsy and PET-CT imaging; treatment usually involves chemotherapy and biological agents, with radiation used selectively. Although the cancer is highly curable, the new results suggest that outcomes may be further improved while reducing treatment burdens for patients.
Dr. Roy Vitkon of Ichilov Medical Center said expectations for the protocol rose sharply after a major German study published in The Lancet last year showed near-universal cure rates. He noted that earlier regimens were effective but came with harsh side effects, while the new approach appeared both stronger and easier for patients to tolerate. Vitkon said Israel moved quickly to test the method in routine clinical practice, gathering data from nearly 100 patients over the past two years.
According to Vitkon, Israel was the first country to produce real-world data confirming the protocol’s effectiveness. He described the multi-center cooperation as an achievement in its own right, saying the strong alignment with the German study gives physicians confidence to continue adopting the treatment.