News Out Part of the news release for thier lung cancer version of the device :)
The current study builds on the initial success of the pilot study, by expanding the sample size to 267 additional measurement sites (from 129 in the pilot study) using the improved Raman system. The pilot study was able to obtain clear in vivo Raman spectra in one second and pre-neoplastic lesions were detected with a sensitivity of 96 per cent and a specificity of 91 per cent. The current study found that the sensitivity and specificity of the new generation system remain similarly high with the larger sample cohort with an increase in specificity and only a slight reduction in sensitivity as previously found.
The principle investigators of the study are Dr. Stephen Lam, chair of the Lung Tumor Group at BC Cancer Agency, and Dr. Haishan Zeng, senior scientist at the BC Cancer Agency's Integrative Oncology Department. Dr. Lam will also be chairing the session at SPIE Photonics West 2013 where the results will be presented by Dr. Zeng.
"This confirmation of the results of the pilot study is an important step towards our efforts to commercialize the Verisante Core(TM)," said Thomas Braun, President and CEO. "We can now begin to move towards obtaining regulatory approval for our lung cancer application that has the potential to improve patient outcomes and access the 5 billion per year medical endoscope market."
The technology behind the Verisante Core(TM) for Lung Cancer detection was also named a Top Ten Cancer Breakthrough earlier this year by the Canadian Cancer Society.