Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov)
Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov)
Israel, Tel Aviv
Tamar Sapra
39 years of experience
Clinic is certified :
Immunotherapy with Keytruda (Pembolizumab) in Israel typically costs from $9,800 to $13,200 per treatment cycle. Total pricing depends on the dosage required, specific cancer type, and whether the facility is public or private. In the US, similar procedures cost around $21,500 on average. Patients save around 47% compared to US prices. Standard medical costs in Israel generally cover the drug administration, nursing care, and basic oncologist monitoring during the infusion session.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Choosing a large multidisciplinary facility like Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov) provides significant value for complex cases. This JCI-accredited center reports a 90% success rate in oncology treatments. Patients can access world-renowned experts such as Professor Ofer Merimsky. While individual cycles start around $9,800, these top-tier centers provide integrated access to molecular tumor boards and advanced genomic medicine initiatives.
Keytruda (pembrolizumab) is the first FDA approved immunotherapy drug that blocks the protein - receptor (programmed cell death - PD-1) allowing patients immune system to attack cancer.
Israel is one of the few countries allowed to use Keytruda not only for melanoma, but also as a new first-line treatment for lung cancer and for metastatic or recurrent small-cell neck or head carcinoma. Keytruda has been officially used in Israel since 2014 and has become a part of a "essential medicines package" in the following year.
The Israeli medical centers involved in the clinical trials of the drug detected improvement of treatment of melanoma without the side effects caused by traditional chemotherapy (like hair loss). The drugs also have shown promise as a “long-lasting” treatment for selected oncological diseases, but doctors continue to learn more as the drugs are used outside of clinical trials.
Tested at Sheba Medical Center, Keytruda deals with tumors using the body’s own immune system. An Israeli-tested drug was a key in helping former US president Jimmy Carter in his fight with life-threatening tumors after he was diagnosed with melanoma at the end of 2015.
The course of treatment for each patient is different. Israeli oncologists determine the number of procedures based on experience in chemotherapy and patient's general medical state.
| Israel | Turkey | Austria | |
| Immunotherapy with Keytruda (Pembolizumab) | from $9,800 | from $3,300 | from $15,000 |
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Please note that each patient"s experience may vary, and you should always follow the advice of your healthcare provider.
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Dr. Pelles Sharon specializes in immunotherapy with Keytruda at Sourasky Medical Center, bringing extensive research and clinical expertise to cancer treatment.
Principal investigator of clinical trials in cancer therapies – Dr. Sarid brings cutting-edge immunotherapy expertise to Sourasky Medical Center.
Prof. Merimsky leads the Soft Tissue and Bone Oncology Unit at Sourasky Medical Center – a pioneer in immunotherapy research for sarcoma.
Dr. Ram Ron specializes in Immunotherapy with Keytruda (Pembrolizumab) at Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov), offering advanced treatment options.
Keytruda, a form of immune-based therapy, leverages the body's immune system to target and destroy cancer cells using monoclonal antibodies.
Israel's leading oncologists for Keytruda therapy include Professor Ofer Merimsky and Dr. Irina Stepfansky at Sourasky Medical Center. These specialists possess extensive experience in managing immunotherapy for lung cancer, melanoma, and sarcomas. They hold prestigious European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO) certifications and lead international clinical trials.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Data shows a strong trend of international training among Israel's top immunotherapy providers. Dr. Ari Raphael and Dr. Pelles Sharon completed specialized training at renowned UK centers like Guy's and St. Thomas and Royal Marsden. This global exposure allows them to implement the latest international protocols for monitoring immune-related side effects effectively.
Patient Consensus: Patients often note that major centers like Sourasky and Hadassah offer efficient access to Keytruda. While they focus on insurance and coverage, many express relief at the thorough monitoring for immune reactions. Those starting treatment appreciate the clear communication from nursing teams during the initial infusion cycles.
Verify an Israeli oncologist is certified to administer Keytruda by confirming their board certification in medical oncology. Qualified specialists hold licenses from the Israel Ministry of Health. They typically practice at JCI-accredited institutions like Sourasky Medical Center or Hadassah Medical Center.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Data shows that leading Israeli immunotherapy experts maintain dual affiliations with global research bodies. For example, Dr. Ofer Merimsky at Sourasky Medical Center is an ESMO faculty member. These connections enable doctors to apply the latest global pembrolizumab protocols before they become standard practice elsewhere.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that verifying a doctor's current hospital affiliation is a reliable way to ensure they can access genuine Keytruda. Many patients felt more secure after seeing the official Ministry of Health license scan. They also realized that while no specific Keytruda-only certificate exists, oncology board certification is the gold standard.
Sourasky Medical Center and Hadassah Medical Center lead Israel's immunotherapy landscape with extensive Keytruda programs. These institutions feature dedicated oncology divisions and specialized research units. They provide access to advanced protocols for melanoma, lung cancer, and gastrointestinal malignancies through international clinical trials and expert coordination.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Data shows that Sourasky Medical Center is a premier hub for complex cases due to its multi-disciplinary leadership. Dr. Ido Wolf chairs the National Council for Oncology, while Dr. David Sarid, trained at Oxford, leads clinical trials. This concentration of national leadership and international training allows patients to access treatment plans that align with the latest global standards.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that arriving with your own pathology slides can help avoid diagnostic delays in the busy Tel Aviv centers. Many describe a feeling of deep relief when accessing compassionate-use programs for advanced cancers in Jerusalem. Those who traveled to Israel emphasize that having a coordinator is vital to navigate the hospital bureaucracy quickly.
Israeli oncologists determine Keytruda eligibility by evaluating tumor biomarkers, specific cancer types, and previous treatment results. They prioritize genetic profiling and PD-L1 expression levels to confirm the therapy will be effective. Doctors also check if the patient meets the strict criteria outlined in the national health basket.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli specialists often combine clinical practice with genomic research to refine eligibility. For instance, Dr. Ari Raphael at Sourasky Medical Center serves as a principal investigator for Keytruda clinical trials. This dual role allows doctors to use NGS interpretation and T-cell studies to identify eligibility for patients who might not meet standard criteria. Consultations with experts like Dr. Irina Stepfansky, starting from $750, often include reviews of Phase I-III trial opportunities.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that having clear genetic test results like FoundationOne is essential to avoid treatment denials. They often describe a waiting period for committee approval but find that high PD-L1 levels speed up the process. Many are relieved that doctors also consider compassionate use for complex cases when standard benchmarks are not met.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Data shows that top Israeli oncologists often hold dual research and clinical trial roles. For instance, Dr. David Sarid at Sourasky Medical Center is a principal investigator for clinical trials. This means these doctors often have earlier access to updated protocols for managing complex immunotherapy reactions before they become standard global practice.
Patient Consensus: Patients note their oncologists act as a central figure for infusions and monitoring without transferring care elsewhere. They appreciate that thyroid issues or rashes are handled within the same hospital system. Many feel this approach is much more organized than having to visit separate clinics for every side effect.
A first consultation with an Israeli Keytruda specialist typically costs between $750 and $950 for medical tourists. These fees cover a comprehensive review by senior oncologists at JCI-accredited facilities like Sourasky Medical Center. Leading experts often have international training from institutions like Oxford or the Royal Marsden.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Data shows that choosing a director-level specialist doesn't always mean a higher price. Dr. Irina Stepfansky and Dr. Ari Raphael, both leading oncology programs at Sourasky Medical Center, offer consultations starting from $750. This is lower than some other senior specialists in the same facility. Patients can access top-tier clinical trial investigators for the same fee as a standard oncology review.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that arriving with organized records helps make the most of the initial meeting. Many felt relieved by how clearly doctors explained the immunotherapy process. They often mentioned that while fees are paid upfront, the level of detail provided is very high.
You can compare Keytruda doctors in Israel remotely by evaluating their clinical trial leadership, specialized fellowships, and hospital affiliations. Leading oncologists at JCI-accredited centers like Sourasky Medical Center offer video consultations to review genomic profiling and design personalized immunotherapy protocols before you travel.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Data shows a clear distinction between general oncologists and those leading Phase I-III immunotherapy trials. For complex cases, patients should prioritize doctors like Dr. Irina Stepfansky at Sourasky, who directs oncology hospitalization and manages high-level clinical research. These specialists often have earlier access to emerging combination protocols that general practitioners may not yet utilize.
Patient Consensus: Patients note it is helpful to ask doctors specific questions about how many Keytruda cycles they have managed for a particular cancer type. They suggest recording virtual sessions to compare the confidence and phrasing of different specialists side-by-side. Many felt more secure choosing doctors tied to major institutional centers like Hadassah or Sourasky due to their strict training standards.