Prof. Benjamin Sredni

Our laboratory is involved in the study of the regulation of the immune system by immunomodulators that shift immune responses from Th₂ to Th₁ type, and thus, are beneficial in various clinical conditions.

It has been demonstrated in the laboratory that immunomodulators (AS101, SAS) have anti-cancer and anti-infectious effects. Additionally, these compounds have been shown to exert beneficial effects on several autoimmune and neurodegenerative diseases.

Cancer

Protection by the AS101 compound against damage caused by chemotherapy in cancer patients.

Protection by AS101 compound against damage caused by radiation treatment in cancer patients.

Anti-cancer mechanism of action of the AS101 compound.

Synergistic anti-cancer mechanism of action between the AS101 compound and the different chemotherapeutic drugs.

Infectious diseases

Immunomodulating activity in viral (CMV) and parasite diseases (Babesia).Influence of AS101 on the activity and differentiation of macrophages.

Autoimmune diseases

Effect of the immunomodulator AS101 on the delay in the development of Lupus Nephritis.

Effect of the immunomodulator AS101 on the delay in the development of diabetes.

Neurodegenerative diseases

Elucidation of the relationship between the neurological system and the immune system in the development of Alzheimer’s disease.

Examination of changes in cytokine levels in Parkinson’s disease and their resulting influence on the development of the disease.

Skin diseases and hair growth

Prevention of chemotherapy-induced alopecia using AS101 – research in cancer patients, tumor-bearing and normal mice.

 Acceleration of hair growth in Nude mice with AS101.

Acceleration of wound healing using AS101.

Examination of the mode of action of these compounds using molecular methods

AS101 binds directly to the G-protein, Ras, via Cys 118.

Signal transduction activated following binding to Ras by phosphorylation of c-raf, erk1/2 and p21-waf.

AS101 can cause G1 arrest in transformed cells.

The above-mentioned immunomodulators cause activation of normal cells and induce apoptosis in malignant cells.