Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Ambulight PDT for Outpatient Photodynamic Skin Cancer Therapy
Ambicare Health out of Fife, Scotland just received the European CE mark of approval and is subsequently launching the Ambulight PDT device for on-the-go photodynamic therapy. PDT typically requires in-hospital equipment, so skin cancer patients are tied to a clinical environment when receiving treatment. The Ambulight PDT is small and portable enough to be worn inconspicuously as a skin patch, taking the patient out of the hospital for a better experience and reduced costs.
Features from the product page:
A single use device, packaged as a disposable dressing, it is simple to set up with the patient
Wearable low powered light source technology allows greater freedom of movement during treatment
Low light intensity - which has the potential to reduce pain
A high uniformity of light, wavelength matched to the PDT cream and treatment protocol
Convenient for patient, medical professional and healthcare provider
Here's a BBC report about the device:
Press release: Ambicare Health demonstrates it’s [sic] revolutionary device to key European practitioners in Monaco...
Product page: Ambulight PDT ...
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Friday, March 12, 2010
Handheld Laser Scanner Identifies Nature of Breast Masses
In a recent article in journal Radiology, researchers from UC Irvine and University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign describe a method of using a laser to differentiate between benign and malignant tumors within breast tissue. The handheld scanner device in the study is based on frequency domain photon migration and watches the scattering and absorption of laser light as it moves through tissue. The technology, already proving itself effective in clinical trials, may bring a radiation-free modality to your breast cancer oncologist's office.
From a UC Irvine press release:
Unlike mammograms, the scanner provides detailed metabolic information by measuring hemoglobin, fat and water content, as well as tumor oxygen consumption and tissue density. In the study, researchers found that potentially dangerous malignant tumors and benign tumors have different metabolic fingerprints.Separately, the UCI laser breast scanner is proving beneficial in evaluating the effectiveness of chemotherapy by supplying detailed data on changes in breast tumor metabolism during treatments. This information, which can be accessed quickly at bedside, lets oncologists tailor chemotherapy based on how a patient responds.
Press release: Beyond mammography: Handheld laser scanner improves detection and treatment of breast cancer ...
Abstract in Radiology: Characterization of Metabolic Differences between Benign and Malignant Tumors: High-Spectral-Resolution Diffuse Optical Spectroscopy
(hat tip: The Engineer)
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Thursday, March 4, 2010
Vidacare's OnControl Marrow Aspiration and Biopsy System
Bone marrow aspiration is just about the most unpleasant clinical procedure for both the patient and doctor. Drilling into an awake and conscious person's ischial tuberosity has a similar flavor to performing surgery 200 years ago with the patient screaming in pain and chewing on a whiskey cloth. The trick is to do it quick while getting a usable sample to send to the lab. To that end, Vidacare out of Shavano Park, Texas has released the new lithium batter powered OnControl Aspiration System that the company believes will bring a much needed new level of efficiency to this procedure.
From the press release:
Prior to its full launch, Vidacare implemented a validation study to measure successful sample acquisition rates, quality of sample, ease of use, and overall user satisfaction. Thirty-one clinicians from thirteen sites in the U.S. participated in this evaluation, and all were first-time users. Testing sites included the Cancer Research and Technology Center of the University of Texas/San Antonio (San Antonio, Texas), M.D. Anderson Cancer Center (Houston, Texas), Wilshire Oncology (Glendora, CA) and Kaiser Permanente Riverside (Riverside, CA) among others. Of the 84 patient procedures completed during the validation testing, results show:Mean user satisfaction score of 4.4 (on a scale of 0-5, with 5 indicating high satisfaction)
Needle insertion success rate of 94%
Biopsy core acquisition success rate of 90%
Mean length of core sample of 1.32 cm
Median time to core extraction of 81 seconds
Product page: OnControl ...
Press release: Vidacare's OnControl Bone Marrow System Is Quantum Leap Forward for Bone Marrow Procedures...
Demo video below the fold:
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Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Molecular Imaging With Contrast Enhanced Ultrasound for Early Cancer Detection
The Engineer out of UK is reporting on a new Stanford University technique, recently published in The Journal of Nuclear Medicine, in which scientists created intavenous injectable gas-filled "microbubbles" that could be detected by standard ultrasound devices deep within the body. Because these contrast agents were developed to target a common cancer marker, the technique may allow the development of next generation imaging technologies for early screening for a variety of cancers.
The Engineer explains:
The microbubbles, which were paired with a new peptide (a molecule that consists of a chain of amino acids) were designed to travel through the vascular system and attach to integrin -- a well-characterised molecular marker that acts as a 'red flag' for tumour vessel growth, or angiogenesis.Once the gas-filled microbubbles seek out the cancers and attach to their vessel walls, they send out signals that are picked up by standard clinical ultrasound scanners.
Read on at The Engineer: Non-invasive cancer detection
Abstract in The Journal of Nuclear Medicine: Targeted Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound Imaging of Tumor Angiogenesis with Contrast Microbubbles Conjugated to Integrin-Binding Knottin Peptides
Image credit: ntr23
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Tuesday, December 8, 2009
A cath for all seasons
Pherocious! The cath from R4 that lets you do more. Just look what's possible with this cath:
It is the first apheresis catheter that, in addition to apheresis, intravenous infusions, and blood sampling, is indicated for power injection of contrast media for contrast enhanced computed tomography (CECT) imaging. The catheter will be available in both 12.5F and 10.5F sizes.Kits contain:
Pherocious CT catheter
valved tear–away introducer
tunneler
0.035” x 70cm J–tip guidewire
three apheresis Luer caps
10ml disposable Luer lock syringe
dressing
introducer needle
15cm dilator ( 10.5F sizes – 8F dilator/ 12.5F sizes – 10F dilator)
Press release: R4 Vascular Receives FDA 510(k) Clearance to Market the First Power-Injectable Apheresis Catheter
Product page: Pherocious CT Apheresis Catheter
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Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Ultrafast Lab-on-a-Chip for Detection of Disease Biomarkers
Researchers from IBM Research in Zurich and the University Hospital of Basel in Switzerland developed a microfluidic device that uses capillary action to detect the presence of protein biomarkers for various disease types. The five square centimeter silicon-based lab-on-a-chip takes only fifteen seconds to perform its analysis.
Here are the five functional stages of the device:
Stage 1: A one microliter sample, 50 times smaller than a tear drop, is pipetted onto the chip, where the capillary forces begin to take effect.
Stage 2: These forces push the sample through an intricate series of mesh structures, which prevent clogging and air bubbles from forming.
Stage 3: The sample then passes into a region where microscopically small amounts of the detection antibody have been deposited. These antibodies have a fluorescent tag and similar to the antibodies within our body, they recognize the disease marker and attach to it within the sample. Only seventy picoliters (a volume one million times smaller than a tear) of these antibodies are used, making their dissolution in the passing sample extremely fast and efficient.
Stage 4: The most critical stage is called the "reaction chamber" and it measures 30 micrometers in width and 20 micrometers in depth, roughly the diameter of a strand of human hair. Similar to a common pregnancy test, in this stage the disease marker that was previously tagged is captured on the surface of the chamber. By shining a focused beam of red light, the tagged disease markers can be viewed using a portable sensor device that contains a chip similar to those used by digital cameras, albeit this one being much more sensitive. Based on the amount of light detected, medical professionals can visually confirm the strength of the disease marker in the sample to determine the next course of treatment.
Stage 5: Less a stage and more a part of the entire process is the capillary pump. The capillary pump, which has a depth of 180 micrometers, contains an intricate set of microstructures, the job of which is to pump the sample through the device for as long as needed and at a regular flow rate, just like the human heart. This pump makes the test accurate, portable and simple to use. IBM scientists have developed a library of capillary pumps so that tests needing a variety of sample
More from IBM Research: IBM Scientists Reinvent Medical Diagnostic Testing ...
Abstract in Lab on a Chip: Toward one-step point-of-care immunodiagnostics using capillary-driven microfluidics and PDMS substrates
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Monday, November 16, 2009
Viral Powered Cancer Therapy from Biovex Advancing Through Clinical Trials
Biovex out of Woburn, Massachusetts recently completed Phase II clinical trials of the firm's virus based technology aimed at attacking tumor cells. In this study, the OncoVEXGM-CSF oncolytic herpes virus was tested on patients with advanced melanoma. The results were promising enough to raise $70 million in funds to move the technology further through the trials.
The Company's lead cancer treatment, OncoVEXGM-CSF is a first-in-class oncolytic, or cancer destroying virus, that works by replicating and spreading within solid tumors (leaving healthy cells unaffected), thereby causing cancer cell death and stimulating the immune system to destroy un-injected metastatic deposits. Both modes of action have been clearly validated in the clinic, where multiple patients with metastatic disease progressing at enrollment have been declared disease free. BioVex believes OncoVEXGM-CSF has the potential to become a leading standard of care in the treatment of many solid tumors based on the strength of clinical data so far generated coupled with the relatively benign side effect profile noted to date. Previous clinical trials have enrolled patients with breast cancer, melanoma, head and neck cancer and pancreatic cancer, with indications of clinical activity being observed in each.
Press releases: BIOVEX ANNOUNCES PUBLICATION OF PHASE 2 MELANOMA RESULTS WITH ONCOVEXGM-CSF IN THE JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ONCOLOGY...; BIOVEX COMPLETES $70 MILLION FINANCING TO CONCLUDE PIVOTAL STUDY WITH ITS PIONEERING CANCER TREATMENT, ONCOVEXGM-CSF...
Abstract in Journal of Clinical Oncology: Phase II Clinical Trial of a Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor-Encoding, Second-Generation Oncolytic Herpesvirus in Patients With Unresectable Metastatic Melanoma
Image: Transmission electron micrograph of 4 views of Herpes simplex virus, computer-coloured mauve. Wellcome Images.
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Friday, November 6, 2009
iChemoTracker Keeps Tabs on Your Chemo Regimen
Merck has released the iChemoDiary for the iPhone platform, an app designed to help patients monitor their time on chemotherapy. The software allows patient to compile chemo treatments, side effects, and general well being, through a set of criteria, that can be later presented to a healthcare provider.
Track your chemotherapy schedule, medication, and treatment plan Record some of the possible side effects from chemotherapy treatments, such as nausea, vomiting, pain, fatigue, change in temperature, lack of appetite, tingling in feet or toes, diarrhea, constipation, and rash Create reports that include chemotherapy, medications, and some of the possible side effects on a daily or weekly basis Share your results and discuss your symptoms with your doctor or nurse so you can have a more accurate and informed discussion
Product page: iChemoDiary ...
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Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Mini-Lab Device Helps Identify Ideal Chemo Regiment
To evaluate how tumor cells from an individual cancer patient might react to chemotherapy drugs, researchers from Technische Universität München (TUM) developed a tiny microfluidic device that can automate the testing process.
The microsensors on the chip record, among other things, changes in the acid content of the medium and the cells’ oxygen consumption; photographs of the process are also taken by a microscope fitted underneath the microtitre plate. All of the data merge in a computer that is connected to the system, and which provides an overview of the metabolic activity of the tumor cells and their vitality.The robots and microtitre plates are kept in a climatic chamber, which, through precisely regulated temperature and humidity, provides an environment similar to that of the human body, and also protects the tumor cells against external influences that can falsify the test results.
After the tumor cells have been able to divide undisturbed for a few hours, the robot applies an anti-cancer substance. If their metabolic activity declines over the next day or two, the active substance was able to kill the tumor cells and the drug is effective. Using the microchips, twenty-four active substances or combinations of active substances can be tested simultaneously in this way.
The gain in time for the patient is not the only positive factor here. Dr. Helmut Grothe, a scientist from the Heinz Nixdorf Chair at the TUM, explains: “Treatment with an ineffective cancer drug sometimes leads to the development of resistance to other drugs in the patient.” Such resistance on the part of the tumor cells can also be identified at an early stage with the help of the sensor chip.
Another advantage of the system is its automation. The robot works faster and more accurately than any human could. Hence, the test results can be obtained quickly, which, in turn, saves on costs. Furthermore, the possibility of testing tumor cells with several active substances simultaneously facilitates the search for effective substances for individually-tailored cancer treatment. Pharmaceutical companies may also be able to use the sensor chip in the development of new drugs in future.
As part of another research project, the scientists at the Heinz Nixdorf Chair are also developing a sensor chip that is intended to control tumor growth. The chip, which would be implanted once in the vicinity of the tumor, could release cancer drugs or pain medication only when the tumor grows. The release of the active substances would be controlled by electric impulses. This sensor system could be used in the treatment of inoperable tumors, for example pancreatic tumors.
Full story from Technische Universität München: Mini-Lab for Cancer Diagnosis....
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Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Microcapsules Deliver Chemo Direct to Lung Tumor
Cisplatin is a chemotherapy drug commonly prescribed to lung cancer patients. Because it is administered systemically, the entire body gets a hefty dose of the toxic substance with side effects that are often quite debilitating. To better target the drug toward lung CA, researchers at the University of Strachlyde, Glasgow and TRANSAVE (Monmouth Junction, NJ) have independently developed inhalation microcapsules that can contain cisplatin.
From The Engineer Online:
While the concept behind their techniques is relatively the same, the materials used to make the bubbles differ. The Transave bubble is based on a lipid and the Strathclyde University team has developed a bubble made of a surfactant, cholesterol and dicetylphosphate.Katharine Carter, a member of the Strathclyde University research team, said the reagents that make up their bubble are more robust, and the manufacturing method has the potential to be much simpler.
Neither technique is commercially available; however, Transave has already taken its drug-delivery system to stage two clinical trials, while Strathclyde is still performing animal testing.
The technique would work by placing drug-containing bubbles in the solution container of a nebuliser. Carter said their animal trials indicate a patient would only have to breathe in the bubbles for 6.5 minutes.
When the bubbles reach the lung, she added, they will be met by a vast amount of macrophages, which are white blood cells that break down pathogens with special enzymes.
Carter explained that these macrophages would recognise the bubbles as a pathogen and bust them open. 'The drug will then be released locally at the cells and into the environment nearby,' she said.
More from The Engineer Online...
TRANSAVE: Proprietary Liposomal Technology
University of Strathclyde: Novel Chemotherapy Targeting System based on Nanoparticles...
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Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Cancer Diagnosis Via Semiconductor
Researchers at the University of Toronto, led by Dr. Shana Kelly and Dr. Ted Sargent, are reporting in Nature that they have used a combination of nanoparticles and a microchip to determine the type and severity of a patient's cancer based on the signature of biomarkers that indicate the presence of cancer at the cellular level.
>Dr. Kelly's work demonstrates that the cells can be differentiated with these biomarkers because of the cellular genes that indicate aggressive or benign forms. The scanning electron micrograph illustrates the eight variable structures that the system can repeatably track with less than 5% variation. Analysis time is reported to be 30 minutes as compared with contemporary diagnostics tests which can take days.
The researchers' new device can easily sense the signature biomarkers that indicate the presence of cancer at the cellular level, even though these biomolecules - genes that indicate aggressive or benign forms of the disease and differentiate subtypes of the cancer - are generally present only at low levels in biological samples. Analysis can be completed in 30 minutes, a vast improvement over the existing diagnostic procedures that generally take days."Today, it takes a room filled with computers to evaluate a clinically relevant sample of cancer biomarkers and the results aren't quickly available," said Shana Kelley, a professor in the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy and the Faculty of Medicine, who was a lead investigator on the project and a co-author on the publication.
"Our team was able to measure biomolecules on an electronic chip the size of your fingertip and analyse the sample within half an hour. The instrumentation required for this analysis can be contained within a unit the size of a BlackBerry."
Press release: U of T researchers create microchip that can detect type and severity of cancer...
Nature: Programming nucleic acids detection sensitivity using controlled nanostructuring
University of Toronto: Shana Kelly Lab
(hat tip: Next Big Future)
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Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Tactile Sensing Robot Does Hands-On Detection of Tumors
Even though solid tumors often look like the healthy tissue they're invading, they almost always present as fibrous densities, hence surgeons use their fingers to feel for a difference in stiffness during extraction. Canadian researchers from the University of Western Ontario and Canadian Surgical Technologies and Advanced Robotics at the London Health Sciences Center have adapted a robot to identify the change in stiffness as it traverses a surface, hoping to develop this technology for cancer detection or diagnosis. So far, in lab experiments, the instrument has displayed considerably greater precision than humans at detecting the stiffness gradient.
With cows' livers standing in for human tissue and 10mm and 5mm blobs of glue wrapped in wire representing tumours, the researchers compared palpation by surgeons, non-surgeons and the robot in the blinded trials. The researchers used a torque sensor to measure the force of the palpations.Using tactile MIS sensing instruments under robotic control reduces the maximum force applied to the tissue by over 35% compared to a human controlling the same instrument. Accuracy in detecting the tumours was also far greater with the robot - between 59 and 90% depending on the robot control method used for palpation.
Unlike humans, the robot applies consistent force in each step, and moves over the tissue systematically. This produces a complete map, equivalent to one large pad applying ideal levels of force to the whole sample. (Similar to tactile sensors that have been developed to detect breast tumours.)
Humans do not know from one palpation to the next exactly how much force they are applying. This means some features are only highlighted because the surgeon is applying more force, or because the human user has changed the angle slightly between the instrument and the tissue. It is also easier to miss a tumour due to applying slightly lower force.
In fact both surgeons and non-surgeons were more likely to cause tissue damage than the robot. When a subject observed increased pressure on the visual display, they tended to focus on the area and apply even more force to see if what they had observed was a tumour. In the case of MIS, only a very small area can be palpated, which makes it challenging to compare adjacent areas and search for a tumour manually.
Press release: Robot's gentle touch aids delicate cancer surgery ...
Article in The International Journal of Robotics Research: Robot-assisted Tactile Sensing for Minimally Invasive Tumor Localization
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IsoFlow Catheter Helps Target Tumor During Chemo Infusion
Current methods of delivering chemotherapy and chemoembolization agents have trouble limiting the affected parts of the organ to just the area around the tumor. Dana Blankenhorn, who now blogs at SmartPlanet.com, is reporting that Vascular Designs Inc. out of San Jose, CA 
has received FDA clearance for its IsoFlow infusion catheter that can occlude a section of vasculature, while allowing blood to continue to perfuse through the catheter itself. Once occluded, the chemo agents can be delivered peripherally to the isolated section, while blood is shunted past uninterrupted.
More details from the product page:
The IsoFlow catheter enables sideways perfusion, which gives you the ability to push specified fluids both into side branch and angiogenicly formed vessels, letting medications reach an isolated area in a highly targeted and concentrated fashion. With IsoFlow's unique design, fluids can reach areas that could not previously be treated directly.IsoFlow is inserted with a guide wire and catheter for precise positioning within a patient's body. Once in place, both of IsoFlow's balloons are simultaneously inflated using radiopaque fluid via a single inflation lumen. Physician-specified fluid is introduced through the infusion lumen or the guide wire lumen via the one-way stopcock connection. The mixture of infusion and radiopaque agents is then delivered to the target region between the two balloons. For sideways infusion, the guide wire is retracted to allow blood to bypass the isolated target region via holes in the catheter exterior. Complete removal of the guide wire allows fluid delivery from the distal tip.
Watch the video for how the IsoFlow is operated:
More from Dana Blankenhorn...
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Wednesday, July 22, 2009
CellScope, a "Mobile Phone Based Clinical Microscopy for Global Health Applications"
Investigators from UCSF and UC Berkeley have just published an article at PloS ONE that discusses applicability data and design of a newly developed microscope-enabled mobile phone system, dubbed CellScope. We have covered CellScope on our pages before. The goal of this research is to equip clinicians with a small and cheap technology to image microorganisms and pathology specimens in remote places, for an instant diagnosis or for transmission of images to a central location, such as a regional medical center.
The engineers attached compact microscope lenses to a holder fitted to a cell phone. Using samples of infected blood and sputum, the researchers were able to use the camera phone to capture bright field images of Plasmodium falciparum, the parasite that causes malaria in humans, and sickle-shaped red blood cells. They were also able to take fluorescent images of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacterial culprit that causes TB in humans. Moreover, the researchers showed that the TB bacteria could be automatically counted using image analysis software.The engineers had previously shown that a portable microscope mounted on a mobile phone could be used for bright field microscopy, which uses simple white light — such as from a bulb or sunlight — to illuminate samples. The latest development adds to the repertoire fluorescent microscopy, in which a special dye emits a specific fluorescent wavelength to tag a target - such as a parasite, bacteria or cell - in the sample.
The researchers used filters to block out background light and to restrict the light source, a simple light-emitting diode (LED), to the 460 nanometer wavelength necessary to excite the green fluorescent dye in the TB-infected blood. Using an off-the-shelf phone with a 3.2 megapixel camera, they were able to achieve a spatial resolution of 1.2 micrometers. In comparison, a human red blood cell is about 7 micrometers in diameter.The researchers pointed out that while fluorescent microscopes include additional parts, less training is needed to interpret fluorescent images. Instead of sorting out pathogens from normal cells in the images from standard light microscopes, health workers simply need to look for something the right size and shape to light up on the screen.
Article in PLoS ONE: Mobile Phone Based Clinical Microscopy for Global Health Applications...
Press release with video of the microscope in action: UC Berkeley researchers bring fluorescent imaging to mobile phones for low-cost screening in the field...
Side image: Fluorescent image of TB bacteria taken by the CellScope.
Flashback: CellScope for Rural Microscopy On The Go
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Friday, July 17, 2009
MarrowMiner Digs Out More Marrow Using Fewer Holes
Daniel Kraft from the Stanford Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine invented a device to make bone marrow harvesting in donors a less invasive and less stressful process on the body. The idea is to drill one hole into the pelvis and then to approach the bone marrow from different angles, thus widening the harvesting region.
Here's a TED talk of Kraft presenting the MarrowMiner device:
More from TED: Daniel Kraft invents a better way to harvest bone marrow
Product page: MarrowMiner...
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Thursday, July 16, 2009
Earn Continuing Medical Education (CME) Credits via iPhone
The Center for Biomedical Continuing Education (CBCE) recently launched a continuing medical education (CME) oncology application for the iPhone that lets a physician quickly access clinical news, treatment updates, and conference highlights. The free application pulls in accredited content from the CBCE and allows a medical provider to take quizzes and earn CME credits on the go. Unlike ReachMD, which has a similar application, the CBBE app supports more than just audio - it can handle text, slides, and video as well.
From the CBCE press release:
Through the leveraging of Apple mobile technology, the CBCE CME app allows for fully accredited treatment updates, conference highlights, and CME tests to be used by healthcare professionals in a convenient format. Content includes coverage of both solid tumors and hematologic malignancies.This continually updated application draws from select CME content found on www.thecbce.com. CME programs will be available in a variety of media formats, including podcasts, Webcasts, slides, and text. This application takes advantage of the best functionality these devices have to offer and contains the following features:
Free content and application
Fully accredited CME programs and posttests
Available on demand, 24/7, wherever Wi-Fi or 3G networks are accessible
Easy-to-use, multimedia CME
Automatic program updates
Bookmarks to quickly return to designated programs
Keyword search for relevant, easy-to-find CME programs
Press release: CBCE Launches Oncology-Focused CME App for the iPhone and iPod Touch...
Product page: The Center for Biomedical Continuing Education...
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Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Watching Circulating Tumor Cell Count Helps Predict Breast Cancer Development
A new study just published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology has shown that monitoring the count of circulating tumor cells (CTC) using the CellSearch system from Veridex, a Johnson & Johnson company, can predict the prognosis of patients with metastatic breast cancer. The CellSearch system uses ferrofluid iron microparticles attached to antibodies that like to grab on to CTC cells. Using a magnet, the device can remove the particles out of a blood sample for precise identification and number count.
More about CellSearch and some details about the study from the J&J press release:
CellSearch® test results should be used in conjunction with all clinical information derived from diagnostic tests (e.g., imaging, laboratory tests), physical examination and complete medical history in accordance with appropriate patient management procedures.Study Design
A retrospective study was performed on 115 patients with MBC who had the CellSearch test performed as part of their initial staging process at M.D. Anderson over a three-year period. CTC count and FDG-PET/CT imaging were performed at baseline in 102 evaluable patients before starting a new therapy and then again at the midpoint of their therapies (9 - 12 weeks). Patients outcomes were categorized according to midtherapy CTC counts as favorable (< five CTCs/7.5 mL blood) or unfavorable (≥ five CTCs/7.5 mL blood). Based on FDG-PET/CT, patients were considered responders if metabolic activity of target lesions decreased more than 25% compared to baseline, and if there was no change or a decrease in size. Patients were considered nonresponders if the FDG uptake was similar or higher and/or if target lesions had increased in size. CTC counts and FDG-PET/CT response at midtherapy were compared, and univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify factors associated with survival.
Study Findings
A total of 115 patients with metastatic breast cancer were considered for the study and 102 were evaluable for efficacy. The median overall survival time was 14 months (range, 1 to > 41 months). In univariate analysis, both midtherapy CTC counts and FDG-PET/CT response predicated overall patient survival (p<.001 and p=.001, respectively). The overall concordance between the CTC counts at midtherapy and FDG-PET/CT was 67% for response/nonresponse and 74% for progression/nonprogression. In the discordant category, detection of five or more CTCs during therapeutic monitoring accurately predicted prognosis in MBC beyond metabolic response. FDG-PET/CT was able to predict outcome in discordant instances of patients with less than five CTCs at midtherapy. Midtherapy CTC levels remained significant in a multivariate analysis (p=.004). These results suggest a higher and independent predictive value of CTCs compared with FDG-PET/CT among patients with a CTC count of five or more. In addition, there was a strong correlation between complete response and the absence of significant levels of CTCs (median CTC level zero).
Press release: Monitoring Circulating Tumor Cells with the Cellsearch® System Can Predict Prognosis in Metastatic Breast Cancer...
Abstract in Journal of Clinical Oncology: Circulating Tumor Cells and [18F]Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography for Outcome Prediction in Metastatic Breast Cancer
Product page: CellSearch Circulating Tumor Cell (CTC) Kit...
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Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Taking Monitoring Straight to The Tumor
Biopsies are good at helping diagnose cancer and its local spread. But once the biopsy and local excision is performed, there is no modality to monitor the state of cancer at the site. Now MIT researchers have developed an implantable probe that can continuously monitor the presence of a particular hormone produced by human tumor cells, and they hope their technology can be implemented for other cancer specific markers.
From an MIT press release:
In the Biosensors & Bioelectronics study, human tumors were transplanted into the mice, and the researchers then used the implants to track levels of human chorionic gonadotropin, a hormone produced by human tumor cells.The cylindrical, 5-millimeter implant contains magnetic nanoparticles coated with antibodies specific to the target molecules. Target molecules enter the implant through a semipermeable membrane, bind to the particles and cause them to clump together. That clumping can be detected by MRI (magnetic resonance imaging).
The device is made of a polymer called polyethylene, which is commonly used in orthopedic implants. The semipermeable membrane, which allows target molecules to enter but keeps the magnetic nanoparticles trapped inside, is made of polycarbonate, a compound used in many plastics.
Cima [Michael Cima, MIT professor of materials science and engineering] said he believes an implant to test for pH levels could be commercially available in a few years, followed by devices to test for complex chemicals such as hormones and drugs.
Press release: Implantable device offers continuous cancer monitoring
Abstract in Biosensors and Bioelectronics: Implantable diagnostic device for cancer monitoring
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Wednesday, April 29, 2009
New Brachytherapy Set for Better Dose Deliverance to Patients
Varian Medical Systems has introduced a new bronchoscopic brachytherapy applicator set, the Centering Intraluminal Applicator™, that the company says will increase treatment precision and aid comfort for patients suffering from bronchial cancer.
According to the press release, the new system features a novel catheter that enables a centered position of the source in the lumen of the trachea or the bronchus, all the while maintaining an open airway for better ventilation. This 3-centering catheter is designed such that it can be partially or fully extended, thus allowing for a variety of conformations to adapt to each patients unique anatomy.
"This new applicator set helps clinicians to optimize the dose distribution thanks to its ability to center the source at the middle of the bronchial lumen," says Claudia Andres-Zindler, brachytherapy applicator product manager. "Crucially, it also allows the patient to breathe unaided during treatment."
Features of the Centering Intralumninal Applicator™ include:
X-ray contrast strip to display the longitudinal axis and the spreading of the baskets. Seldinger guide wire to insert and guide the centering catheter with the baskets into the desired position. 4.7 French catheter with a diameter of 1.59 mm for the source transfer.
Press release : Varian Introduces Brachytherapy Applicator Set to Optimize Precision and Comfort of Bronchial Cancer Treatments...
Varian Medical Systems - Brachytherapy...
Flashback : TargetScan Aims for Precise Brachytherapy
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» Electrical Nerve Stimulator for Drug Resistant Pain Gets Green Light in U.S. (February 27, 2009)
» Growth of Blood Vessels Within Tumors to be Studied Using New Tool (February 23, 2009)
» Siemens Rolls Out 1.5 Tesla MRI for Breast Visualization (February 23, 2009)
» LightTouch Device May Eliminate Pap, Biopsy for Cervical CA Testing (February 13, 2009)
» Breast Specific Gamma Imaging (BSGI), a New Imaging Modality, Proving Itself in Detecting Breast Cancer (February 13, 2009)
» Gold Nanoparticles Help in Fighting Skin Cancer (February 5, 2009)
» Electrocuting Cancer Cells to Death with NanoKnife (February 5, 2009)
» In the Works: Ultrasound Activated Localized Drug Delivery Technology (January 29, 2009)
» MammaPrint Identifies Low Risk HER2+ Breast Cancer (December 15, 2008)
» Opto-Acoustic Imaging Improves Lab Rat Visualization (December 3, 2008)
» Breast Specific Gamma Imaging (BSGI) Goes to RSNA (December 2, 2008)
» Nano-Targeting of Prostate Cancer (December 1, 2008)
» Somatom Definition Flash: All Around Dual Nature CT (November 24, 2008)
» World's Most Expensive Thermometer? (October 21, 2008)
» Computer Model of Intracellular Failure Cascade and the Future of Chemotherapy? (October 20, 2008)
» Circulating Tumor Cell Detector Earns Spotlight (October 17, 2008)
» It's a Retrospectroscope... It's a Rectospectroscope...No It's Retroscope! (October 8, 2008)
» GE Releases MRI Oncology System (October 3, 2008)
» NanoDiamonds...Everyone's Friend? (October 3, 2008)
» Real Money from Virtual Walk For Breast Cancer (October 2, 2008)
» Identifying Multiple Cancer Proteins in a Single Specimen (September 25, 2008)
» Acupuncture and Breast Cancer...Ancient Gadgets! (September 23, 2008)
» Morphormics Segmentation Technology to Define Boundaries for CyberKnife (September 22, 2008)
» MRI Staging of Breast Cancer vs. Surgical Staging (September 22, 2008)
» Radiation Technology from Navotek (September 15, 2008)
» ProTom Proton Therapy Technology Gets a Boost (September 9, 2008)
» Carbon Nanotubes For Chemotherapy Delivery (August 15, 2008)
» Video Game Actually Helps Fight Cancer (August 6, 2008)
» New Test Promises to Clarify Unknown Cancer Diagnoses (August 1, 2008)
» Varian's RapidArc Radiation Delivery System Goes Clinical (July 22, 2008)
» Another HER2 Test Receives FDA Approval (July 16, 2008)
» Epocrates Rx Now on iPhone (July 14, 2008)
» HERmark Breast Cancer Assay Is Now Available (July 10, 2008)
» SenoRx Balloon Radiation Therapy Device for Breast CA Gets FDA Nod (July 7, 2008)
» Laser Opto-Acoustic Imaging Technology from Seno Medical (July 3, 2008)
» Advaxis Hopes to Make it Big with Listerial Cancer Vaccines (May 27, 2008)
» The Third Install in the US of Aquilion ONE CT from Toshiba (May 21, 2008)
» Demand Is High for Brilliance iCT, a 256-Slice CT from Philips (May 19, 2008)
» Online Lung Cancer Mutation Database to Help Oncologists in Decision Making (April 28, 2008)
» Injectable Dosimeter May Help During Radiation Therapy (April 8, 2008)
» Scientists Develop Anti-Angiogenesis Nanoparticles (April 3, 2008)
» SIRTeX to Trial Radiation Spheres for Liver Cancer (March 31, 2008)
» Two-Photon Nanoparticles for Tumor Recognition (March 31, 2008)
» CellScope for Rural Microscopy On The Go (March 17, 2008)
» HistoMag, A Magnetometer for Cancer Cells (March 4, 2008)
» Artificial Antigen-Presenting Cells (aAPCs) Boost T-cell Mediated Immunity (February 29, 2008)
» First Patient Undergoes Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy Treatment (February 19, 2008)
» Genetic Barcoding to Aid with Drug Cancer Targeting (February 1, 2008)
» Radiotherapy Machine: MHI-TM2000 from Mitsubishi (January 31, 2008)
» Ruckus Nation: Re-Mission Creators Take on Obesity (January 10, 2008)
» Infrared Camera Might Predict, Prevent Complications in Patients with Head and Neck CA (December 27, 2007)
» Microchips for Tumor Detection (December 20, 2007)
» Promises, Promises: Early Breast Cancer Blood Test (December 18, 2007)
» Somatom Definition AS: The World's First Adaptive Computed Tomograph (December 6, 2007)
» Freezing Breast Tumors With Liquid Nitrogen (December 4, 2007)
» Images from the ASTRO (American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology) Conference (December 3, 2007)
» MIT Radar Technology vs Breast CA (November 30, 2007)
» AquilionONE CT from Toshiba Cleared by FDA (November 27, 2007)
» LIVE:ON - Save Sperm Away for a Brighter Day (November 13, 2007)
» World Community Grid Squeezes Decades of Cancer Research Into Two Years Analysis (November 8, 2007)
» PatchPump™: PCA in a Button (November 5, 2007)
» A Hope in Virotherapeutic Agents from Jennerex (October 29, 2007)
» Elekta Compact™ Linear Accelerator (October 1, 2007)
» New Carcinogenic Role of microRNAs Discovered (September 28, 2007)
» Bras Drafted into War on Cancer (September 28, 2007)
» Blood Test for Lung Cancer (September 21, 2007)
» New Radiogun Leads to More Powerful Stereotactic Radiosurgery System (September 19, 2007)
» Technology Promises to Detect Cancer by Scanning Surface Veins (September 7, 2007)
» Nanotweezers Help Understand Actions of Chemotherapy Agent (August 28, 2007)
» Automatic Feature Recognition for Radiotherapy (August 21, 2007)
» Treating Cancer with Electric Fields (August 3, 2007)
» Philips' Pinnacle3 Radiation Treatment System Gets Upgrade (July 25, 2007)
» Mathematicians Model Growth of Tumor (June 22, 2007)
» The Apoptosis Chip (June 21, 2007)
» TomTom, Which Way to My Prostate Cancer? (June 12, 2007)
» Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles Improve Delivery of Hydrophobic Anticancer Drugs (June 8, 2007)
» Noninvasive Palliation of Pain of Bone Mets (June 7, 2007)
» Re-mission Video (June 1, 2007)
» The FirmGrip™: No-Touch PICC Line (May 31, 2007)
» SenoRx Crosses Hurdle for Multi-Lumen Breast Irradiation (May 24, 2007)
» Nanocomposites & Laser (beams) Destroy Cancer (May 21, 2007)
» Researchers Examine Bio-Magnetic Sensors (May 3, 2007)
» pHLIP, A Nanosyringe for Detection & Treatment of Cancer (May 2, 2007)
» Got Cancer? Try Light Therapy and Avoid the Side Effects of Chemo (April 3, 2007)
» Light-based Probe 'Sees' Early Cancers in First Tests on Human Tissue (March 27, 2007)
» Treating Tumors by Punching Holes in Cells (March 26, 2007)
» Nano-Magnets to Detect Breast Cancer (March 7, 2007)
» VitiGam: Vitiligo-derived IgGs for Melanoma (March 6, 2007)
» MicroRNAs in Oncogenesis (March 6, 2007)
» Hidden Benefits of Your Past Infections (March 5, 2007)
» Studying Copper in Angiogenesis (February 28, 2007)
» Biodegradable Implant for Ovarian Cancer (February 8, 2007)
» Fantastic Voyage: Platelet-like Nanoparticles (February 5, 2007)
» Incredible Edible [Oncological] Egg . . . (January 16, 2007)
» Researchers: Homing Nanoparticles Pack Multiple Assault on Tumors (January 9, 2007)
» Selectins Used to Harvest Stem Cells & Kill Cancer (January 5, 2007)
» 'Ray gun' cancer cure nears speed of light (December 15, 2006)
» Novel Implant to Monitor Cancer, Chemo Response (December 5, 2006)
» Could This Be the End of Breast Biopsy? (December 4, 2006)
» Elasticity Imaging Identifies Cancers & Reduces Breast Biopsies (November 28, 2006)
» Fight Cell Phone Radiation With... Bacterial Goo? (November 28, 2006)
» World's Smallest Cancer Detection Device? (November 21, 2006)
» Innovative Movies Show Real-time Immune-cell Activity within Tumors (November 21, 2006)
» Doxorubicin-Loaded Dendrimer Offers Hope for Colon CA (November 14, 2006)
» Antiproton Cell Experiment: Antimatter is a Better Killer (November 2, 2006)
» Perspecta™ Spatial 3D (October 30, 2006)
» Test Helps Guide Cancer Treatment (October 23, 2006)
» Listening to Cancer Mets (October 18, 2006)
» Temperature-Sensitive Doxorubicin Nanoparticles (October 4, 2006)
» Cisplatin Nanoparticles Created (September 19, 2006)
» In the Works: Proton Treatment from MIT (August 29, 2006)
» Model Based Segmentation Software for Radiation Therapy (August 7, 2006)
» Embolotherapy with Smart Bubbles (July 25, 2006)
» Novel Nanoparticles May Offer Early Cancer Detection, Treatment (May 2, 2006)
» The Delphi IVantage™ Infusion Pump (April 27, 2006)
» Scan2Knit (April 19, 2006)
» DVS® (Dose Verification System) (April 12, 2006)
» Photonic Surgery to Zap Tumors (April 11, 2006)
» Enemy Mine (March 9, 2006)
» GEMINI TF from Philips (March 6, 2006)
» View to a Kill (March 2, 2006)
» Can Dogs Smell CA? (January 20, 2006)
» Purdue, Vanderbilt Use Mass Spectrometer to Detect Cancer (November 10, 2005)
» The Buccal Mucosa Cells Test To Diagnose Lung Cancer (November 7, 2005)
» Urine Test To Detect Bladder Cancer (October 28, 2005)
» Double Trouble: Cells With Duplicate Genomes and CA (October 17, 2005)
» Blood Test To Detect Pleural Mesothelioma (October 14, 2005)
» HepaSpheres for Embolization of Vascular Tumors (September 21, 2005)
» "Crybodies" -- Presticide Toxins to Fight Cancer (September 16, 2005)
» The Breathscanner 1.0 (August 22, 2005)
» Novel Analytical Tool for CA Detection Developed (August 22, 2005)
» Cell Mobility Progress Stopped (August 11, 2005)
» OvaCheck Reality Check (August 8, 2005)
» Forward Progress on Cell Locomotion (August 5, 2005)
» MIT Creates Chemotherapy-Loaded Nanoparticles (July 28, 2005)
» Novalis® Shaped Beam Surgery (June 27, 2005)
» Stretching Cells to Detect Cancer (June 20, 2005)
» Nanoparticles for Drug Delivery (June 17, 2005)
» Electroporation Therapy by Inovio (June 13, 2005)
» The Mobetron (June 2, 2005)
» Hyperbaric Oxygen for Lymphedema (May 23, 2005)
» Gold Nanoparticles May Simplify Cancer Detection (May 16, 2005)
» Xsight™ Spine Tracking System by Accuray™ (May 9, 2005)
» Cryosurgery for Prostate Cancer (April 20, 2005)
» ExAblate Making Waves in US (April 19, 2005)
» New Cancer Detection System Described (April 14, 2005)
» E-nose to Detect Lung CA (April 8, 2005)
» Trilogy™ Technology for Image-Guided Radiosurgery (April 8, 2005)
» Biolaser Illuminates Stem Cell Development (April 4, 2005)
» The BioScanIR System (March 23, 2005)
» BSD-2000 Hyperthermia System (March 21, 2005)
» TomoTherapy Hi.Art System (March 14, 2005)
» MammoSite's targeted radiation for breast CA (February 22, 2005)
» C-Tools 2.0 (February 15, 2005)
» The Physics of Proton Therapy (January 21, 2005)
» ExAblate 2000 (December 11, 2004)
