Beni Boursi

Prof. Ben Boursi specializes in microbial modulation for cancer therapy at Sheba Medical Center. He treats gastrointestinal oncology and developed predictive models for early diagnosis of colorectal and pancreatic cancers. He founded the ECOG-ACRIN Microbiome Working Group and serves as an Associate Scholar at the University of Pennsylvania.

Specialization and Clinical Expertise

Prof. Boursi investigates the role of the microbiome in cancer development and treatment. This research helps him create therapeutic approaches. He treats a wide range of gastrointestinal conditions, including:

• Stomach, pancreatic, and liver cancers
• Colon and rectal cancer, including stage 4 cases
• Esophageal and small intestine cancer
• Pancreatic neuroendocrine and desmoid tumors
• Metastases in the liver and adenocarcinoma

The doctor performs procedures such as HIPEC (Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy) — a heated chemotherapy treatment delivered directly into the abdomen — and SIRT therapy. He also uses CyberKnife and NanoKnife for precise tumor destruction. His practice includes targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and Whipple surgery for pancreatic cancer.

Academic and Research Contributions

Prof. Boursi developed predictive models for early cancer diagnosis now in clinical evaluation. His microbiome research appeared in Science and was highlighted by ASCO. He delivers lectures on host–microbiome interactions at several institutions:

• Tel Aviv University
• Bar-Ilan University
• Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania

Work Experience

• Physician, Gastrointestinal Cancer Department, Sheba Medical Center
• Associate Scholar, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania
• Academic Staff, Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Tel Aviv University
• Internal Medicine Resident, Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv

Education and Training

• MD (Magna cum laude), School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University
• B.Med.Sc (Summa cum laude), Tel Aviv University
• Clinical and Research Fellowship in GI Oncology and Cancer Epidemiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania
• Elective Training in Medical Oncology, MD Anderson Cancer Center
• Elective Training in Medical Oncology, Mayo Clinic
• Advanced Research Training, Weizmann Institute of Science

Publications and Memberships

The doctor has authored several studies in oncology and holds board certifications in Internal Medicine and Medical Oncology. Notable papers include:

• "Immune-related adverse events as predictors of durable response to BRAF inhibitors"
• "Re-evaluating the IDEA classification: markers in stage III colon cancer"
• "Prognostic significance of CEA levels in stage I–II colon cancer"

He is a member of several professional organizations:

• Israeli Association of Clinical Oncology and Radiotherapy (ISCORT)
• American Society for Cancer Research