Israel Cancer Research Fund Commits $5.35 Million to New Oncology Studies

This latest funding cycle brings the organization’s total lifetime investment to nearly $109 million since its inception in 1975. Beyond the 38 new awards, the fund is continuing support for 57 existing projects, resulting in 95 active research grants totaling $5.84 million for the coming year. The total multi-year commitment for the current round of projects reaches $7.25 million.

Executive Director Alan Herman noted that the grants span the entire career spectrum, from emerging scientists to established leaders. The selection process mirrors the rigorous peer-review standards of the National Institutes of Health. Projects currently under the fund's umbrella explore diverse fields such as artificial intelligence, microbiome analysis, and precision medicine.

Notable recipients include Lucio Frydman of the Weizmann Institute, who is developing noninvasive MRI metabolic imaging to identify high-risk lesions, and Irit Ben Aharon of the Rambam Health Care Campus, who is investigating the long-term effects of in utero chemotherapy. Additionally, Liran Shlush is utilizing single-cell technology to refine leukemia diagnostics, while Asael Roichman is examining how dietary factors influence the efficacy of anti-cancer drugs. These efforts build upon a historical track record that has contributed to the development of FDA-approved therapies including Gleevec and Velcade.