JERUSALEM, Israel – May 5, 2026
Alpha Tau Medical Ltd. has announced that new clinical data evaluating Alpha DaRT® in combination with pembrolizumab for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) has been selected for podium presentation at the AHNS 12th International Conference on Head and Neck Cancer, one of the most prestigious global forums in head and neck oncology. The abstract, featuring results from a clinical study in elderly patients with locally advanced and metastatic disease, highlights the growing importance of combining localized radiation-based therapies with systemic immunotherapy, particularly in populations with limited treatment options and poor prognosis.
Clinical Data Highlights Combination Therapy Potential
The accepted abstract presents top-line results from a clinical study conducted at Hadassah Medical Center, evaluating the use of Alpha DaRT combined with pembrolizumab in elderly patients with advanced HNSCC. This patient group represents a high unmet medical need, as many are ineligible for aggressive chemoradiation therapies due to age and comorbidities.
The study builds on previous monotherapy data generated across the United States, Europe, Israel, and Japan, where Alpha DaRT demonstrated a strong safety profile and localized tumor control. The combination approach is designed to enhance immune activation, leveraging the ability of Alpha DaRT to destroy tumor cells locally while potentially stimulating systemic anti-tumor immune responses, which can be further amplified by checkpoint inhibitors like pembrolizumab.
Alpha DaRT Technology and Mechanism of Action
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Alpha DaRT (Diffusing Alpha-emitters Radiation Therapy) is an innovative intratumoral radiotherapy platform that delivers high-energy alpha particles directly within the tumor, minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue. The technology involves inserting radioactive sources into the tumor, where they release short-range alpha radiation, effectively destroying cancer cells with high precision.
Unlike conventional radiotherapy, Alpha DaRT operates with a localized mechanism, making it suitable for combination strategies with systemic treatments. Preclinical evidence suggests that this localized destruction may also trigger immune system activation, providing a scientific basis for combining Alpha DaRT with immunotherapies such as pembrolizumab, which target immune checkpoints to enhance the body’s ability to fight cancer.
Strategic Milestone in Oncology Development
Alpha Tau Medical Ltd. views this podium presentation as a key milestone in its clinical development strategy, marking the transition from monotherapy validation to combination therapy expansion. Selection for a podium presentation at the AHNS conference reflects the scientific significance and clinical relevance of the study, as only high-impact research is chosen for this format.
With head and neck cancer being the sixth most common malignancy globally, and elderly patients facing limited therapeutic options and suboptimal outcomes, the combination of localized radiotherapy and systemic immunotherapy represents a promising new treatment paradigm. The company aims to position Alpha DaRT as a safe, add-on intratumoral therapy that can be integrated into existing treatment regimens without increasing toxicity burden, which remains a major concern in oncology treatment planning.
Source: Alpha Tau Medical Ltd press release
