Alpha Tau (DRTS) Treats First Patient in U.S. Trial for Recurrent Glioblastoma
On December 9, 2025, Alpha Tau Medical Ltd. (Nasdaq: DRTS), an innovative cancer therapy developer, announced a significant milestone in oncology research: the first patient has been treated with Alpha DaRT® for recurrent glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) in a pilot study at James Cancer Hospital, The Ohio State University. This breakthrough is part of Alpha Tau's broader strategy to address the urgent medical needs of patients with one of the deadliest forms of cancer.
The Challenge of Glioblastoma
According to the National Brain Tumor Society, glioblastoma is known for its complexity and high resistance to treatment, with an average survival rate of only 8 months. Typically, patients experience rapid recurrences of this aggressive tumor within 6-9 months of initial treatment. This dire prognosis underscores the need for novel therapeutic approaches that prioritize both effectiveness and safety.
Details of the Groundbreaking Treatment
The groundbreaking procedure was conducted by a multidisciplinary team led by Principal Investigator Dr. Joshua D. Palmer, alongside Medical Physicist Michael Degnan and Neurosurgeon Dr. J. Bradley Elder. Utilizing a unique delivery method designed for intracranial use, the team successfully administered the treatment.
Dr. Palmer remarked, “Patients with recurrent glioblastoma face one of the most difficult cancer diagnoses in medicine. There is an urgent unmet need for new therapeutic approaches that can be delivered locally while minimizing harm to surrounding healthy brain tissue.”
Dr. Elder elaborated on the technical success of the procedure, stating, “The novel delivery device allowed us to place the Alpha DaRT sources in a precise radial configuration that achieved more than 95% coverage of the tumor volume.” This method integrates smoothly with existing brain navigation systems, ensuring minimal disruption to standard surgical workflows.
Alpha Tau's Commitment to Advancing Cancer Treatment
Alpha Tau’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Robert Den, emphasized the significance of this achievement, stating, “This is a transformational patient-centric moment of great scientific and clinical significance for the entire field of neuro-oncology.” This pilot study is supported by the FDA’s Breakthrough Device Designation, aiming to expedite Alpha DaRT to the market and make it available to eligible GBM patients.
About the Clinical Trial
This clinical trial will enroll up to ten patients in the U.S. suffering from recurrent glioblastoma unsuitable for surgical intervention, who have previously received central nervous system radiation. The primary objective is to assess the feasibility and safety of the treatment based on the promising preclinical study results. More details about the trial can be found on ClinicalTrials.gov.
About Alpha Tau Medical Ltd.
Founded in 2016, Alpha Tau is an Israeli company focused on developing oncology therapeutics, specifically the Alpha DaRT technology for treating solid tumors. The Alpha DaRT method delivers potent alpha-irradiation directly to tumors via radium-224 impregnated sources, aiming to mitigate damage to surrounding healthy tissue.
Forward-Looking Statements
This announcement contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties, including Alpha Tau’s ability to secure regulatory approval and the uncertainty surrounding clinical trial outcomes. Actual results may differ materially from those projected in forward-looking statements.