FECAL MICROBIOTA TRANSPLANT AT SHEBA MEDICAL CENTER
The gut microbiota, constituting all microorganisms, bacteria, viruses, protozoa, fungi, and their collective genetic material present in each person’s gastrointestinal tract, plays an important role in maintaining your health and wellbeing.
Scientists have discovered that the microbiota works closely with the immune system, so that a change in the flora of the bacteria affects the body’s immune response to many health conditions, including treatments for oncological diseases such as melanoma. Accordingly, by eradicating the microbiome of a melanoma patient who is unresponsive to immunotherapies and replacing it with bacteria taken from patients who have responded to the treatment, a patient’s responsiveness to cancer immunotherapy can be significantly improved. It is this change in the microbiota that fecal transplantation aims to achieve.
According to preliminary studies, the procedure, followed by immunotherapy, is indicated to cause a reduction in the size of metastases and even lead to complete remission in some metastatic melanoma patients.
HOW DOES FECAL MICROBIOTA TRANSPLANT WORK?
Before receiving their fecal transplant, patients are administered orally ingested antibiotics for approximately 72 hours to achieve a native microbiota depletion, which will allow for donor microbiota engraftment.
Fecal transplantations are usually performed by colonoscopy, but can also be administered through oral stool capsules.
During a colonoscopy, the donor stool is delivered into your colon using a long, flexible tube (colonoscope) inserted into the rectum. The procedure usually takes around 30 to 60 minutes, and patients receive a mild sedative in pill form or intravenous pain medication to minimize any discomfort.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR FECAL MICROBIOTA TRANSPLANT AT SHEBA?
Presently, only metastatic melanoma patients who have exhausted other lines of treatment are eligible to undergo a fecal microbiota transplant at Sheba Medical Center.
WHY CHOOSE SHEBA MEDICAL CENTER FOR A FECAL MICROBIOTA TRANSPLANT?
Sheba Medical Center, one of the ten best hospitals in the world according to Newsweek magazine, is a comprehensive medical facility dedicated to providing patients from around the world with cutting-edge, compassionate care. Following are just a few of the many
reasons to choose Sheba for treatment:
THE ADVANTAGES OF RECEIVING TREATMENT AT SHEBA MEDICAL CENTER INCLUDE:
Sheba treats children with a holistic approach, keeping in mind that cancer can have devastating effects on the physical and emotional well-being of your child and their entire family, which is why we offer a variety of support services.
Sheba has full accreditation from the Joint Commission International (JCI), the premier international healthcare accrediting group.
As a government institution, we have no hidden costs, and our fees are transparent. Although we offer advanced treatments available only in select medical institutions globally, our prices are affordable.
Sheba has both advanced treatment and laboratory facilities. At Sheba, patients receive every aspect of their treatment in a single facility.
Sheba treats each patient as a unique individual, personalizing every therapy program.
Our physicians are actively involved in the latest research and application of progressive treatments.
Sheba’s 360-degree care approach to every patient means that Sheba’s professionals will assist you with arranging medical record reviews, travel, visas, accommodations, and language interpretation as needed.
SHEBA’S ELLA LEMELBAUM IMMUNO-ONCOLOGY INSTITUTE LEADERS
Dr. Ronnie Shapira-Frommer, MD
Director of the Ella Lemelbaum Immuno-Oncology Institute and Head of the Gynecologic Oncology Unit
Dr. Shapira-Frommer leads Sheba’s Ella Lemelbaum Immuno-Oncology Institute – a center of knowledge and excellence that implements some of the world’s most advanced and unique treatment methodologies for melanoma and other skin cancers. Today a renowned melanoma expert, Dr. Shapira-Frommer received her medical degree from Tel Aviv University in 2004 and started working at Sheba soon after, specializing in oncology.
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Dr. Nethanel Asher, MD
Senior Oncologist at the Ella Lemelbaum Immuno-Oncology Institute
Dr. Asher is a senior physician and oncology specialist at Sheba’s Ella Lemelbaum Immuno-Oncology Institute. He received his medical degree from the University of Bologna, Italy, in 2009, where he graduated with distinction. Dr. Asher focuses on clinical diagnosis, management, and treatment of melanoma patients and is involved in the research of Immuno-therapeutic agent toxicity profiles and combinations.
Read MoreHOLISTIC HEALING AT SHEBA
At Sheba, cancer patients benefit from world-class medicine provided with a personal touch. Our care professionals look beyond disease – considering all aspects of well-being, including physical, emotional, and social needs. We care about every patient’s experience, offering all-inclusive services under one roof on our vast campus. Every patient is also assigned a personal medical coordinator from the Global patient services, who provides assistance throughout every step of the treatment.
SHEBA – RANKED AMONG THE TOP TEN BEST HOSPITALS WORLDWIDE
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