{"id":6889,"date":"2025-04-15T14:05:11","date_gmt":"2025-04-15T14:05:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ofer.productivedev.co\/?p=6889"},"modified":"2025-07-07T06:21:29","modified_gmt":"2025-07-07T06:21:29","slug":"the-israel-cancer-research-fund-icrf","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ofer.productivedev.co\/en\/the-israel-cancer-research-fund-icrf\/","title":{"rendered":"The Israel Cancer Research Fund (ICRF)"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"6889\" class=\"elementor elementor-6889\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-77c7796 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"77c7796\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;container_type&quot;:&quot;flex&quot;,&quot;content_width&quot;:&quot;boxed&quot;}\" data-core-v316-plus=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-39dadca elementor-hidden-mobile elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"39dadca\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.16.0 - 14-09-2023 *\/\n.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-stacked .elementor-drop-cap{background-color:#69727d;color:#fff}.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-framed .elementor-drop-cap{color:#69727d;border:3px solid;background-color:transparent}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap{margin-top:8px}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap-letter{width:1em;height:1em}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap{float:left;text-align:center;line-height:1;font-size:50px}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap-letter{display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t<p>The Israel Cancer Research Fund (ICRF) is the leading organization in Israel dedicated to supporting outstanding cancer researchers. Since its establishment in 1975, ICRF has awarded more than 2,700 grants, totaling over $87 million, to exceptional cancer researchers working in leading research institutions, universities, and hospitals across Israel. Its overarching mission is to transform cancer into a manageable chronic disease\u2014and ultimately to eradicate it\u2014by funding groundbreaking research.<\/p><p>One particularly fascinating research project currently funded by ICRF is led by Professor Ronit Satchi-Fainaro, head of the Cancer Research and Nanomedicine Laboratory and director of the Cancer Biology Research Center at Tel Aviv University\u2019s Faculty of Medicine. Her research focuses on deciphering the mechanisms behind interactions between cancer cells and their surrounding microenvironment, and identifying novel molecular targets that could disrupt tumor-host communication. In other words, her team explores how cancer cells interact with blood vessels, the immune system, connective tissue, and other surrounding elements\u2014and how these interactions enable tumors to grow and spread. Understanding and disrupting this communication may slow or even prevent the progression of cancer.<\/p><p>One of the major breakthroughs in Satchi-Fainaro\u2019s work lies in the development of models that more accurately mimic clinical conditions. Currently, only about 5% of clinical trials succeed. Satchi-Fainaro believes this low success rate is largely due to the inadequacy of preclinical models, rather than the failure of the drugs themselves.<br \/>She explains:<br \/>&#8220;The models we use today don\u2019t sufficiently mimic what actually happens in the human body. That\u2019s why we created tools that allow for 3D printing of tumors. When we receive a tumor removed in surgery, we can now 3D print miniature replicas and test multiple drugs on each, helping us identify the most effective personalized treatment for that patient\u2014often within just two weeks.&#8221;<\/p><p>Her lab is also exploring the repurposing of existing drugs. Traditional 2D cell cultures grown on plastic plates differ significantly from the complex tumor microenvironment in the human body. As a result, some drugs that perform well in 2D models fail in clinical trials, while others dismissed early on may actually prove powerful in 3D environments, which better reflect real biological conditions.<\/p><p>Satchi-Fainaro highlights a key example:<br \/>&#8220;We identified a protein inhibitor that showed up in every brain tumor sample (GBM) we tested\u2014but not in the brains of healthy individuals. On plastic dishes, the cancer cells continued growing even with the inhibitor. But in our 3D tumor models, the inhibitor actually suppressed tumor growth and cell spread. This discovery suggests that many drugs previously abandoned might be highly effective\u2014if only tested in the right model.&#8221;<\/p><p>Her research received a 7-year grant from ICRF, with part of the funding\u2014$150,000 over three years\u2014provided by the Idan and Batia Ofer Family Foundation. Satchi-Fainaro emphasizes the unique importance of philanthropic support:<br \/>&#8220;There are many philanthropic causes\u2014each valuable\u2014but cancer research is particularly challenging. It requires deep understanding and long-term commitment. We may not see results for 10 or even 20 years, but when breakthroughs do come, they can change lives and impact future generations. ICRF has been operating long enough to witness this\u2014treatments being used today were funded 20 or 30 years ago. That\u2019s the beauty and power of these kinds of donations.&#8221;<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6d96126 elementor-hidden-desktop elementor-hidden-tablet elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6d96126\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Aliquam convallis leo at enim condimentum aliquam. Proin tempus, eros at scelerisque bibendum, elit odio sollicitudin ligula, dictum aliquet lacus ligula sit amet nisl. Sed et quam dui. Mauris ut odio sed libero fermentum pharetra. Nulla lobortis sapien in urna ultricies, vitae mollis nisi vehicula. Quisque mattis molestie leo, non volutpat purus lobortis non. Vivamus elementum ligula tristique, mattis neque placerat, facilisis lectus. Fusce diam orci, suscipit rutrum sapien sit amet, ultrices egestas erat.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-073ae08 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"073ae08\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;container_type&quot;:&quot;flex&quot;,&quot;content_width&quot;:&quot;boxed&quot;}\" data-core-v316-plus=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4a71a0f quote-sign elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"4a71a0f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.16.0 - 14-09-2023 *\/\n.elementor-widget-image{text-align:center}.elementor-widget-image a{display:inline-block}.elementor-widget-image a img[src$=\".svg\"]{width:48px}.elementor-widget-image 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data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div><div><p>Mauris ultrices neque vitae augue maximus vehicula. Ut sed purus lobortis, condimentum nisl non, consequat sem. Integer orci ipsum, porta ac ullamcorper eget, rhoncus vitae risus. Integer sollicitudin iaculis felis ut imperdiet. Integer vel lacus leo. Vestibulum egestas ligula lacus, in auctor lectus gravida vel. Etiam lacus elit, vehicula commodo sem a, condimentum pharetra mi. Suspendisse placerat massa sem. Vivamus ac lacus dignissim, pharetra ipsum vehicula, sodales nulla. Sed id nulla in dui convallis vestibulum at non felis. Vivamus vel augue eu velit tempor scelerisque eget sit amet odio. Vivamus ut efficitur mauris. Nullam at sem id mauris sodales hendrerit in vel dui.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9d7301e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"9d7301e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div><div><p>Praesent id eros quis ipsum lobortis finibus id non massa. Nulla dignissim rhoncus ex, vitae finibus massa elementum eget. Maecenas lobortis elit eu ipsum laoreet viverra. Sed semper ante sit amet aliquet varius. Sed posuere ultrices felis eget finibus. Cras blandit tempus ligula, sed blandit purus egestas at. Fusce eget porta nibh, vel rutrum odio. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Morbi aliquet vehicula luctus. Sed vitae neque quis nisi blandit iaculis. Nullam mattis sem sed massa finibus lacinia. Nam rutrum et sapien vitae tincidunt. Duis eu sapien eu sapien accumsan finibus id eu purus. Fusce fermentum molestie tortor. Duis enim nibh, egestas eu ex a, facilisis finibus leo.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-060ce61 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"060ce61\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;container_type&quot;:&quot;flex&quot;,&quot;content_width&quot;:&quot;boxed&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-62cac0f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"62cac0f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>vitae risus. Integer sollicitudin iaculis felis ut imperdiet. Integer vel lacus leo. Vestibulum egestas ligula lacus, in auctor lectus gravida vel. Etiam lacus elit, vehicula commodo sem a, condimentum pharetra mi. Suspendisse placerat massa sem. Vivamus ac lacus dignissim, pharetra ipsum vehicula, sodales nulla. Sed id nulla in dui convallis vestibulum at non felis. Vivamus vel augue eu velit tempor scelerisque eget sit amet odio. Vivamus ut efficitur mauris. Nullam at sem id mauris sodales hendrerit in vel dui.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2539e5b elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2539e5b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Mauris ultrices neque vitae augue maximus vehicula. Ut sed purus lobortis, condimentum nisl non, consequat sem. Integer orci ipsum, porta ac ullamcorper eget, rhoncus vitae risus. Integer sollicitudin iaculis felis ut imperdiet. Integer vel lacus leo. Vestibulum egestas ligula lacus, in auctor lectus gravida vel. Etiam lacus elit, vehicula commodo sem a, condimentum pharetra mi. Suspendisse placerat massa sem. Vivamus ac lacus dignissim, pharetra ipsum vehicula, sodales nulla. Sed<br \/>id nulla in dui convallis vestibulum at non felis. Vivamus vel augue eu velit tempor scelerisque eget sit amet odio. Vivamus ut efficitur mauris. Nullam at sem id mauris sodales hendrerit in vel dui.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-39e1793 learn-more-div e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"39e1793\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;container_type&quot;:&quot;flex&quot;,&quot;content_width&quot;:&quot;boxed&quot;}\" data-core-v316-plus=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1b4db23 elementor-view-default elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon\" data-id=\"1b4db23\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon\">\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"42\" height=\"43\" viewBox=\"0 0 42 43\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M11.392 21.165H30.2602M30.2602 21.165L21.9636 29.9045M30.2602 21.165L21.9636 12.1665\" stroke=\"#6E6E6E\" stroke-width=\"2\"><\/path><circle cx=\"21.1255\" cy=\"21.3345\" r=\"19.8164\" stroke=\"#6E6E6E\" stroke-width=\"2\"><\/circle><\/svg>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-75863af elementor-widget-mobile__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"75863af\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.16.0 - 14-09-2023 *\/\n.elementor-heading-title{padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title[class*=elementor-size-]>a{color:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-small{font-size:15px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-medium{font-size:19px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-large{font-size:29px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xl{font-size:39px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xxl{font-size:59px}<\/style><h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Learn more about the whole project<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Israel Cancer Research Fund (ICRF) is the leading organization in Israel dedicated to supporting outstanding cancer researchers.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":6852,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[61,8314],"tags":[8355,24],"class_list":["post-6889","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health-stories","category-stories-en","tag-8355","tag-featured-story"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ofer.productivedev.co\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6889","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ofer.productivedev.co\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ofer.productivedev.co\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ofer.productivedev.co\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ofer.productivedev.co\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6889"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/ofer.productivedev.co\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6889\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7125,"href":"https:\/\/ofer.productivedev.co\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6889\/revisions\/7125"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ofer.productivedev.co\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6852"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ofer.productivedev.co\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6889"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ofer.productivedev.co\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6889"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ofer.productivedev.co\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6889"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}