About Us
Founded in 1944, the American Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science develops philanthropic support for the Weizmann Institute in Israel, and advances its mission of science for the benefit of humanity.
At the Weizmann Institute of Science, more than 50 research groups focus on developing better ways to prevent, diagnose, and treat cancer. In fact, nearly half of Weizmann’s life sciences research is cancer-related. Institute research has provided critical knowledge about cancer in general—Weizmann scientists were the first to demonstrate that cancer can grow in stages—as well as about specific cancers, such as breast, lung, and prostate. The Institute’s collaborative teams are working to turn basic research into powerful diagnostic tools, drugs, and therapies to fight cancer—and win.
In a breakthrough that is leading to new cancer therapies, Prof. Yosef Yarden revealed the function of HER2, a protein found in particularly large amounts in breast and ovarian tumors. He received the Israel Prize, the country’s highest honor, for his work.
Prof. Zelig Eshhar pioneered cancer immunotherapy by developing CAR-T cells, which harness the patient’s immune system to fight disease. A treatment based on his method has resulted in total remission in many leukemia patients. CAR-T gene therapy made history as the first such treatment approved by the FDA.
A cancer therapy developed by a Weizmann team combines a chlorophyll-based drug with light to destroy tumors. The highly successful procedure is now approved in Mexico, India, Israel, and the European Union for treating early-stage prostate cancer.
Weizmann scientists invented the synergistic effect behind Erbitux®, an antibody-based therapy that works together with conventional chemotherapy to defeat cancer. In 2001, Erbitux® was FDA approved to treat colorectal and head and neck cancers.
A Weizmann scientist identified an enzyme that helps protect against lung cancer, finding that genetic differences may explain why some people get the disease while others, including smokers, don’t. He created a simple blood test to gauge personal risk.
Prof. Yair Reisner developed a solution to the problem of bone marrow transplantation between incompatible donors and recipients by using a hormone to mobilize the bone marrow cells of patients such as leukemia sufferers and “bubble” children. His lifesaving method is today used worldwide.
Prof. Hadassa Degani developed an MRI-based method called three time point (3TP) that identifies cancer without the need for painful biopsies. It is FDA approved for diagnosing breast and prostate cancer.
©2021 American Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science
