Groundbreaking Treatment to Save Lives: Hemophilia Therapy

Hemophilia is a life-threatening blood disorder in which a person lacks blood-clotting proteins called clotting factors. Until now, this rare blood condition could only be managed through recurring injections or infusions. Hemophilia gene therapy is a phase 3 clinical trial and groundbreaking new treatment for hemophilia based on genetic engineering with the goal of treating the disease for life using one single dose.

Very few hospitals in the world offer hemophilia gene therapy. Already known for its cutting-edge technology and innovative clinical trials, Israel is home to the first medical institution that made hemophilia gene therapy available to medical tourists.

How does Hemophilia Gene Therapy work?

In hemophilia gene therapy, healthy genes are engineered in a laboratory and then inserted into a common virus. The virus is then infused intravenously into the patient. Once it gets to the liver, the immune system clears out the virus, leaving the healthy genes behind. Over a few months, the liver cells with healthy genes will multiply, increasing the number of healthy genes and replacing the defective genes that are responsible for hemophilia.

Who can receive Hemophilia Gene Therapy in Israel

There are two types of hemophilia: hemophilia A and hemophilia B. Presently, hemophilia gene therapy at Sheba is only available to patients with hemophilia type A who are over the age of 18 and have a healthy liver. Patients with liver problems and those that have developed antibodies for blood clotting factors or antibodies for the virus being used are not candidates for Hemophilia Gene Therapy.

Clinical trials for Hemophilia type B are expected to begin next year.

Sheba Medical Center: Your destination for hemophilia gene therapy in Israel

Sheba Medical Center was recently acknowledged as one of the top 10 hospitals in the world as a leading force in medical science and biotechnical innovation by the prestigious Newsweek magazine. Sheba is the biggest hospital in the region, and home to the National Hemophilia Center in Israel. Here are a few reasons why you should consider hemophilia gene therapy at Sheba:

1. Sheba Medical Center was the first healthcare facility to make hemophilia gene therapy available to international medical tourists.
2. Sheba is fully accredited by the Joint Commission International (JCI), the premier international healthcare accrediting group.
3. The physicians at Sheba’s National Hemophilia Center are pioneering experts at the forefront of hemophilia clinical research. Prof. Gili Kenet, the Director of The National Hemophilia Center and Institute of Thrombosis & Hemostasis, is currently leading clinical research studies on gene therapy as a treatment for hemophilia at Sheba.
4. Sheba is a government institution with full price transparency, so you’ll never be surprised by hidden fees.
5. At Sheba, expert physicians from a wide range of specialties work together to create fully customized treatment plans

At Sheba, specialists across many disciplines come together to determine the best course of treatment for each patient. The 360-degree approach ensures that medical tourists are well-taken care of by dedicated medical coordinators and case managers who assist in everything from organizing travel to communicating with doctors.

Sheba Medical Center is dedicated to a holistic approach to medicine, which considers each patient’s emotional and physical well-being and comfort.