Elbit Imaging Announces Insightec Treats First Prostate Cancer Patients in Clinical Trials
– ExAblate(R) MR Guided Focused Ultrasound System is Being Used for the
First Time for Non-invasive Treatment of Prostate Cancer
– Seven Patients With Prostate Confined Low Risk Cancer Treated in
Clinical Trials
Elbit Imaging Ltd. (NASDAQ: EMITF) (“Elbit” “Company”) that it’s
subsidiary, InSightec Ltd., the global leader in MR guided focused ultrasound
technology and the only company to receive FDA approval for its ExAblate(R)
system for treating uterine fibroids, announced today that its ExAblate(R)
system has been used for the first time for the treatment of prostate cancer
patients. Seven patients with localized low-risk prostate cancer were treated
worldwide so far. The patients were treated at two leading medical centers:
the N.N. Petrov Research Institute of Oncology in
and at the National Cancer Centre at the Singapore General Hospital,
Prostate cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers among men.
According to the American Cancer Society 217,730 new cases of prostate cancer
will be diagnosed in the US in 2010; and 900,000 new cases diagnosed
globally, according to the World Health Organization. The annual spending in
G7 countries (US, UK,
at
removal of the prostate gland), radiation therapy, brachytherapy
(implantation of radioactive seeds), and cryotherapy. Ultrasound guided high
intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) has also been used, outside the US, to
treat prostate cancer.
The ExAblate system, which has been in clinical use for the treatment of
uterine fibroids globally and bone metastases outside of the US, is an Image
Guided, Non-invasive, Robotic Acoustic Surgery system integrating real time
magnetic resonance imaging to visualize the tumor, surrounding tissue and the
energy delivery path together with high intensity focused ultrasound beam
which is delivered with millimeter precision to destroy the cancerous tumor
without damaging surrounding tissue, which is the cause of most
complications. The use of real-time 3D MR thermometry provides accurate
closed-loop monitoring of the treatment outcome and ability to adjust the
treatment according to specific patient physiology, in real time.
Dr.
said: “Unfortunately current treatment alternatives are accompanied by
relatively high levels of adverse events which significantly impact the
quality of life of prostate cancer patients. The most common are incontinence
and impotence. Due to the introduction of PSA screening tests, prostate
cancer is diagnosed at an earlier age thereby increasing the necessity for a
treatment option that minimizes adverse events. The ExAblate prostate system
has been designed to provide effective treatments while minimizing the
debilitating side-effects caused by damage to functional areas of the
prostate and neurovascular bundles, thus the system is expected to enable
patients to return to normal life within a day or two while maintaining their
quality of life.”
About InSightec
InSightec Ltd. is a privately-held company owned by Elbit Imaging,
General Electric, MediTech Advisors, LLC and employees. It was founded in
1999 to develop the breakthrough MR guided Focused Ultrasound technology and
transform it into the next generation operating room. Headquartered near
headquarters are located in
to: http://www.insightec.com/
About ExAblate
ExAblate is an Image Guided, non-invasive, Robotic Acoustic Surgery
system. The ExAblate system is the first to use the MR guided focused
ultrasound technology that combines MRI – to visualize the body anatomy, plan
the treatment and monitor treatment outcome in real time – and high intensity
focused ultrasound to thermally ablate tumors inside the body non-invasively.
MR thermometry, provided uniquely by the system, allows the physician to
control and adjust the treatment in real time to ensure that the targeted
tumor is treated and surrounding non targeted tissue is spared. The ExAblate
system was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2004 as a
treatment for symptomatic uterine fibroids. Over 6,000 women have been
treated worldwide to date with excellent results. ExAblate(R) 2000 received
the European CE Mark for pain palliation of bone metastases in
for Adenomyosis in
About Elbit Imaging Ltd.
Elbit Imaging Ltd. operates in the following principal fields of
business: (i) Commercial and Entertainment Centers – Initiation,
construction, and sale of commercial and entertainment centers and other
mixed-use real property projects, predominantly in the retail sector, located
in Central and
depending on market conditions, Elbit may operate and manage a commercial and
entertainment center prior to its sale; (ii) Hotels – Hotels operation and
management, primarily in major European cities; (iii) Image Guided Treatment
- Investments in the research and development, production and marketing of
magnetic resonance imaging guided focused ultrasound treatment equipment;
(iv) Residential Projects – Initiation, construction and sale of residential
projects and other mixed-use real property projects, predominately
residential, located primarily in
Apparel – distribution and marketing of fashion apparel and accessories in
investments in hospitals and farm and dairy plants in
preliminary stages; and (c) wholesale trade of home applications in India.
Any forward-looking statements in our releases include statements
regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of Elbit Imaging Ltd.
and our management about our business, financial condition, results of
operations, and its relationship with its employees and the condition of our
properties. Words such as “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate” and
similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements but
are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements. Actual results
may differ materially from those projected, expressed or implied in the
forward-looking statements as a result of various factors including, without
limitation, the factors set forth in our filings with the Securities and
Exchange Commission including, without limitation, Item 3.D of our annual
report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended
caption “Risk Factors.” Any forward-looking statements contained in our
releases speak only as of the date of such release, and we caution existing
and prospective investors not to place undue reliance on such statements.
Such forward-looking statements do not purport to be predictions of future
events or circumstances, and therefore, there can be no assurance that any
forward-looking statement contained our releases will prove to be accurate.
We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking
statements. All subsequent written or oral forward-looking statements
attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in
their entirety by the cautionary statements set forth in our filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission including, without limitation, Item 3.D of
our annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended
under the caption “Risk Factors.”
For Further Information:
Company Contact:
Dudi Machluf
Chief Executive Officer (Co-CEO)
Tel: +972-3-608-6024
dudim@elbitimaging.com
Investor Contact:
Mor Dagan
Investor Relations
Tel: +972-3-516-7620
mor@km-ir.co.il
SOURCE Elbit Imaging Ltd.