Myeloma treatment at Sheba Medical Center

Multiple myeloma treatment at Sheba Medical Center in Ramat Gan, Israel, focuses on advanced immunotherapy and specialized transplants. Diagnostics like a CT scan may cost around $200–$400, a biopsy is around $900–$3,200, and a full CAR-T cell therapy package typically runs $72,500–$80,500. The hospital is ranked among the top 10 best in the world and works in partnership with the MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Diagnostics for multiple myeloma

Accurate staging is necessary to choose the right therapy. Doctors at the clinic use high-resolution imaging and tissue analysis to monitor the disease. The following tests are available:

• CT (computer tomography). This scan helps identify bone damage or tumors.
• Biopsy. A tissue sample is taken to analyze myeloma cells in the bone marrow.
• MRI of one area. This imaging provides detailed views of soft tissues and bones.
• Brain MRI. A specialized scan used if symptoms suggest neurological involvement.

Advanced treatment and CAR-T cell therapy

Sheba Medical Center houses a GMP-certified Advanced Biotherapy Center. This allows the clinic to manufacture CAR-T cells on-site, which shortens the time between cell collection and infusion to about 10–11 days. The CAR-T therapy for multiple myeloma targets the BCMA protein on cancer cells and shows a response rate between 70% and 90%.

The CAR-T cell therapy package includes several stages:

• Ambulatory assessment. Includes necessary imaging, lab tests, and biopsies before treatment.
• Apheresis. The process of collecting lymphocyte cells from the patient's blood.
• Chemotherapy and hospitalization. Includes conditioning treatment and up to 21 days of inpatient care.
• Post CAR-T assessment. Follow-up tests to check the treatment response.

Stem cell transplantation and chemotherapy

Beyond immunotherapy, the clinic provides standard systemic treatments. Bone marrow or stem cell transplants help restore healthy blood cells after high-dose therapy. The hospital uses precise HLA laboratories to match donors for allogeneic transplants when autologous (using the patient's own cells) options are not suitable. Chemotherapy regimens are also customized based on the genetic profile of the tumor.

Medical expertise at Sheba

The hematology and bone marrow transplantation division is led by Prof. Arnon Nagler. He is a recognized expert who completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Stanford University. Prof. Arnon Nagler serves as the President of the Hemato-Oncology Center and has held leadership roles in the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT). The center is JCI-accredited, meeting international safety and quality standards for oncology care.

Patients interested in these therapies can request a consultation through Bookimed to review their medical records with the specialists at Sheba.