First time use of ExAblate MR Guided Focused Ultrasound System for prostate cancer treatment

Aug 31 2010

- 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 Saint Petersburg, Russia, and at the National Cancer Centre at the Singapore General Hospital, Singapore.

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, France, Italy, Germany, Spain and Japan) is estimated at 15 Billion Dollars. Treatment options include prostatectomy (surgical 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. Kobi Vortman, President and Chief Executive Officer of InSightec, 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."

SOURCE Elbit Imaging Ltd.