Israeli Lymphoma Breakthrough Promises 100% Survival in Large Study — The Media Line
Hodgkin lymphoma cells. (Wikimedia Commons)
The Media Line Staff
12/09/2025
Researchers from Israel presented striking results at a U.S. blood cancer conference, reporting a lymphoma treatment that achieved perfect survival in a large-scale study. Across 15 medical centers, patients who received a combined chemotherapy and targeted biologic therapy regimen showed outcomes that outpaced traditional standards of care.
The trial data indicate that nearly all participants responded to a treatment strategy that pairs chemotherapy with a precision biological agent. Specifically, 95% reached complete remission, and 83% experienced substantial, often near-total reduction of disease after just two treatment cycles. Only 4% of patients needed subsequent radiation therapy, a rate notably lower than with standard approaches. The study reported a one-year survival rate of 100%.
Leading the effort were Dr. Zvi Forgas from Soroka Medical Center and Dr. Tzofia Levy from Rambam Health Care Campus, who coordinated participation from hospitals nationwide. Levy, presenting the findings at ASH, framed the results as a pivotal turning point in Hodgkin lymphoma care. She explained that this regimen enables rapid disease control—often within weeks—and frequently creates clear pathways to recovery. Levy also noted that for the first time, unified national data allowed Israeli teams to showcase their collective experience on an international stage.
The Big Picture
Hodgkin lymphoma accounts for about 10% of all lymphoma cases. It commonly affects younger adults and typically presents with swollen lymph nodes, fever, night sweats, and unintentional weight loss. Diagnosis relies on biopsy and PET-CT imaging, and treatment usually combines chemotherapy with targeted agents; radiation is used selectively. While Hodgkin lymphoma is highly treatable, the new results suggest the potential for even better outcomes while easing the treatment burden on patients.
Dr. Roy Vitkon of Ichilov Medical Center noted that expectations for the protocol rose significantly after a major German study published in The Lancet last year reported near-universal cure rates. He pointed out that older regimens worked but came with difficult side effects, whereas the new approach appears both more effective and more tolerable. Vitkon added that Israel acted quickly to translate the method into routine care, collecting data from nearly 100 patients over the past two years.
According to Vitkon, Israel became the first country to generate real-world data confirming the protocol’s effectiveness. He praised the multi-center collaboration as a notable achievement in itself, and said the strong alignment with the German study provides physicians with increased confidence to continue adopting the treatment.
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