Lumicell said today that it is launching clinical studies in breast cancer and prostate cancer with its Lum image-guided cancer surgery system.
The breast cancer trial is a pivotal study following an initial training period with surgeons, the Wellesley, Mass.-based company reported, and the prostate cancer study is a first for Lumicell and its technology.
The Lum system has a drug, device and decision software component that work together, in real-time, to guide cancer surgeons in the detection and removal of cancer cells during surgery. With the start of these two trials, the Lum system is being assessed in five solid tumor indications.
“We are excited to initiate these new studies with the Lum system, which we have designed to detect and illuminate tumor cells at the invasive front of the tumor micro-environment where macrophages and other immune cells interact with cancer cells,” chief medical officer Dr. Felix Geissler said in prepared remarks. “By enabling surgeons to clearly see cancer cells in real time during surgery, we have the opportunity to avoid leaving cancer cells behind and reduce the need for repeat surgeries. We look forward to providing further clinical updates on our progress with the Lum system later this year.”
The breast cancer and prostate cancer trials are supported by clinical feasbility data that the company touted earlier last year, showing that the Lum system achieved 100% detection of residual cancer. Lumicell is expecting to report additional clinical data in breast cancer later this year, the company said.
“We are moving our clinical program forward with strong momentum, as the Lum system is now being clinically evaluated in five cancer indications in more than 10 medical centers across the U.S.,” CEO Kelly Londy added. “We aim to set a new standard with our system in the field of image-guided cancer surgery, providing surgeons at any cancer facility with immediate visual feedback to detect tumor tissue beyond the margin of the specimen and opening up the potential to improve surgical outcomes for a broad range of cancer patients.”
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