Sarcoma Treatment Updates in 2025 – Doctors, Innovations, Clinical Trials

In 2025, the landscape of sarcoma treatment in Israel has evolved significantly, incorporating innovative methods, advanced technologies, and personalized medicine approaches to improve patient outcomes.

Updates on Sarcoma Treatment in 2025 

Best Israeli Doctors for Sarcoma

Sarcomas, a diverse group of rare malignant tumors originating in bones and soft tissues, have historically posed significant treatment challenges due to their aggressive nature and resistance to conventional therapies.

That’s why it is recommended that you be treated by an experienced sarcoma specialists. This team includes: sarcoma oncologist, surgeon, radiologist, pathologists, radiation oncologists – all with expertise in treating sarcomas.

Prof. Ofer Merimsky heads the National Center for Sarcomas of Bone and Soft Tissues at Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov). He is renowned for his expertise in treating all types of bone and soft tissue sarcomas.

Choose your doctor and contact us ⇒ 5 Best Doctors for Sarcoma Treatment in Israel in 2025

Sarcoma Treatment in 2025

Treatment depends on several variables, including your general health, tumor location, the size of the finding and the grading.

Innovations in Surgical Techniques in 2025

Surgical interventions remain a cornerstone in sarcoma treatment. When the tumor is small, it can usually be removed surgically. In cases of larger sarcomas (8-10 cm), or difficulty in obtaining margins, doctors will try to shrink the tumor with chemotherapy or radiation, to allow it to be removed with a free margin.

In special cases, targeted drug therapy (biological drugs) can be used before or after surgery. 

The goal of surgery is to remove the tumor in its entirety, including healthy margins of non-cancerous tissue surrounding it, with the aim of minimizing functional impairment. The surgery is called a ‘wide local excision’. 

Types of surgery for sarcomas:

• Surgery in the chest or abdomen, head or neck surgery, upper and lower extremities
• Resection of secondary sarcoma tumors (metastases)
• Limb Amputation

The majority of bone sarcomas are osteosarcoma, Ewing’s sarcoma and chondrosarcoma, which historically leads to future amputations. 

Israeli Surgeons widely use 3D Medical Printingt which helps to avoid amputations of limbs and improve future quality of life and mobility of the patient. This technology has been increasingly adopted using serializable intraoperative 3D printed models, particularly in scull bone reconstruction for eyes, ears, nose regions, limb and others. 

Innovations in Radiation Therapy – 2025

Types of Radiation for Sarcoma in Israel

• Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) – With IMRT, the tumor is exposed to a high dose of radiation, while the radiation to healthy tissue adjacent to the tumor is lower. This can reduce the side effects of radiation.
• Intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) – A single internal radiation treatment given during surgery on the area where cancerous tumor is removed.
• Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) – A radiation treatment primarily intended for small soft tissue sarcomas. During treatment, a special radiation device is used that sends rays to the irradiated area from different angles. The rays overlap the tumor and overall, the tumor receives a very large amount of precise radiation, while the healthy tissue surrounding the tumor receives a small total amount of radiation. This radiation method is very common in the treatment of lung tumors, or metastases that have spread to the lung.
• Internal Radiation – Brachytherapy – An adjuvant radiation treatment in which a radioactive material is inserted into the tumor. The use of brachytherapy is reserved for exceptional cases and is not part of the standard treatment for soft tissue sarcomas.

Advancements in preoperative therapies, such as hypofractionated radiation therapy, are being studied to improve surgical outcomes. A Phase II trial is currently evaluating the side effects and efficacy of delivering higher doses of radiation over a shorter period to patients with soft tissue sarcomas prior to surgery.

Israeli researchers have also pioneered novel radiation therapy techniques to combat inoperable sarcomas.

At Rambam Health Care Campus, a groundbreaking method known as “network radiation” or GRID therapy has been developed. This technique involves complex radiation intensity calculations and artificial intelligence to deliver high-dose radiation in a grid-like pattern, effectively targeting aggressive sarcoma tumors that are resistant to traditional treatments. Early applications of this method have successfully eradicated tumors previously deemed untreatable, offering new hope to patients with complex cases.

Chemotherapy for Sarcoma

Recent advancements in sarcoma therapy have introduced new agents and strategies. Taxane and doxorubicin-based chemotherapies have been standard treatments for advanced angiosarcoma for decades.

However, ongoing research is exploring novel therapies that may reshape treatment paradigms. Comprehensive genomic profiling studies are paving the way for next-generation therapeutic approaches, offering hope for more effective treatments.

The most common drugs used for soft tissue sarcomas are Doxorubicin (Doxorubicin®)* and Ifosfamide (Mitoxana®)*

Other drugs:

• Docetaxel (Docetaxel Teva®)*
• Gemcitabin (Gemcitabin®)*
• Paclitaxel (Paclitaxel Teva®)*
• Trabectedin (Yondelis®)*
• Dacarbazine (Dacarbazine Medac®)*
• Cyclophosphamide (Endoxan®)*

Clinical trials are at the forefront of these advancements. The Experimental Therapeutics Clinical Trials Network (ETCTN) has several active sarcoma trials as of January 2025. These include Phase I/II studies investigating the combination of bromodomain inhibitors with standard chemotherapies, as well as Phase II trials assessing the efficacy of immunotherapy agents like atezolizumab, with or without selinexor, in treating alveolar soft part sarcoma.

Personalized Medicine and Biomarker-Driven Approaches

The shift towards precision medicine has been pivotal in sarcoma care. Identifying specific biomarkers within sarcoma subtypes has led to the development of targeted therapies, moving beyond traditional chemotherapy-based approaches. This personalized strategy enhances treatment efficacy and minimizes adverse effects.

Targeted therapies, also called biologic therapy, target specific proteins in cancer cells to interfere with tumor growth. These therapies include monoclonal antibodies and growth inhibitors. Here are some targeted drugs for sarcomas:

• Pazopanib (Votrient®)* – a drug that inhibits the growth of blood vessels in a tumor and is used to treat all soft tissue sarcomas, except liposarcomas. Without blood vessels, the tumor cannot receive the nutrients it needs to survive and grow.
• Imatinib (Glivec®)* – a drug used to treat gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST), which has replaced chemotherapy for these tumors. It works by blocking the signaling of an enzyme inside the tumor cells, preventing a series of chemical reactions that cause the cell to grow.
• Sunitinib (Sutent®)* – another type of drug intended for the treatment of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) that have stopped responding to imatinib. Its mode of action is similar to that of pazopanib.

FDA Approvals and New Drug Developments

Regulatory milestones have also marked progress in sarcoma treatment. In August 2024, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Afamitresgene autoleucel (Tecelra), a gene therapy for synovial sarcoma. This therapy utilizes genetically modified CAR T-cells from the patient’s immune system to target cancer cells, representing a significant advancement in treatment options for this rare cancer.

In 2025, Israel stands at the forefront of sarcoma treatment, integrating cutting-edge technologies and personalized medicine to enhance patient outcomes. 

Advancements in Genomic Profiling

A pivotal development in Israel’s approach to sarcoma treatment is the implementation of comprehensive genomic profiling. Israel offers an integrated model of genomic testing for oncology patients. This approach utilizes advanced molecular and bioinformatics technologies to analyze the genetic makeup of tumors, enabling precise, targeted treatments tailored to each patient’s unique cancer profile. By understanding the specific molecular characteristics of a tumor, physicians can select therapies that are more likely to be effective, thereby improving outcomes and minimizing unnecessary treatments.

⇒ More About Oncotests in Israel

Ongoing Research and Future Directions<

The sarcoma research community continues to explore innovative treatments. Multicenter clinical trials are investigating combinations of genetically modified adenoviruses with immune checkpoint inhibitors to treat sarcomas unresponsive to standard immunotherapies. These studies aim to invigorate the immune system to effectively combat cancer cells.

In summary, 2025 has ushered in a new era of sarcoma treatment, characterized by personalized medicine, advanced surgical and radiation techniques, and groundbreaking therapies. Ongoing clinical trials and research efforts continue to expand the horizons of sarcoma care, offering hope for improved patient outcomes.

Clinical trials for sarcoma in Israel – 2025

Ongoing research and clinical trials are focused on developing new therapeutic agents and refining existing treatment modalities. Studies to find new ways to treat cancer effectively for all patients are being conducted all the time. If early studies (phase 1–2 studies) show that a new treatment may be better than standard treatment, oncologists conduct studies to compare the new treatment with the best standard treatments available (phase 3 studies).

At the moment, the following clinical studies are conducted in Israel:

• Alpha Radiation in Malignant Tumors of the Skin and Mucous Tissues (Sarcoma) (DaRT/ CTP-CMN-02_ Study / CTP-CMN-02)

Source: cancer.org.il

The Future of Sarcoma Treatment in Israel

Israel’s commitment to medical innovation continues to drive progress in sarcoma treatment.

The integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning in treatment planning is expected to further personalize and optimize patient care. As these advancements evolve, patients with sarcoma in Israel can anticipate access to some of the most advanced and effective treatments available globally.

In summary, the landscape of sarcoma treatment in Israel in 2025 is characterized by a synergy of personalized medicine, technological innovation, and comprehensive patient care. These efforts collectively contribute to improved prognoses and quality of life for individuals battling this challenging form of cancer.

Second medical opinion on Sarcoma Treatment

Although a multidisciplinary team of specialists will determine the most appropriate treatment for you, you may want to get a second medical opinion in Israel, and this is your full right.

If you have been offered treatment that aims to cure the disease or control the tumor over time, the decision to have it will probably become easier. But even then, you will need to weigh the benefits of the treatment against the drawbacks. If there is no cure, and the treatment is given to slow or stop the progression of the disease for a period of time, it will be more difficult to decide whether to accept it or not.

Contact us if you have a difficulty in making decision on treatment. We will promptly organize zoom consultation with one of our leading doctors.

Based on the results of the consultation, we will provide you with a doctor’s report with treatment recommendations.

⇒ Oncologist’s Report Example

Additional Information on Sarcoma Treatment in Israel

⇒ Immunotherapy of sarcoma in Israel

⇒ Precision cancer treatment in Israel