Guided Therapeutics’ Cervical Scan Could Save Money, Reduce Suffering According to Results Presented at Europe’s Foremost International Congress for OB-GYN
ANTWERP, BELGIUM (May 5, 2010) – By detecting cervical disease up to two years earlier than conventional methods, the Guided Therapeutics, Inc. (GT) (Pink Sheets: GTHP) LightTouch™ Cervical Scanner could save the world’s healthcare system billions of Euros (dollars) and improve the quality of life for women across the globe, according to a scientific presentation at the 21st European Congress of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
LightTouch detected up to 47 percent more significant cervical disease up to two years earlier than Pap smears, HPV tests and biopsy, according to the presentation by Dr. Nahida Chakhtoura of the University of Miami (Florida, USA) Miller School of Medicine. LightTouch also could have reduced the number of unnecessary biopsies by nearly 40 percent in women with no disease.
“Clearly finding cervical disease early is the best defense against cervical cancer and its tragic and expensive consequences,” said Mark L. Faupel, Ph.D., President and CEO of GT. “We also believe that eliminating unnecessary and painful biopsies reduces suffering and removes a tremendous burden on the global healthcare system”.
The basis of the presentation was a pivotal clinical trial that examined 1,607 women who received the LightTouch test and other tests routinely used to refer women to biopsy. Included in the study were 802 women who returned for follow up visits, 68 of whom were found to have precancer and cancer missed by the current diagnostic standard of care consisting of Pap test, HPV test, colposcopy and biopsy. The current diagnostic procedures missed 38.6% (51 of 132) of precancers and cancers in women with follow up. Of the 51 cases of precancer and cancer missed by the standard of care, LightTouch detected 44 of these missed cases (86.3 %), some as early as two years prior to current practice procedures.
In addition to the University of Miami, the pivotal clinical trial was conducted at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, Dr. Claudia Werner principal investigator (PI); Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, Dr. Lisa Flowers, PI; University of Connecticut, Hartford, Connecticut, Dr. Manocher Lashgari, PI; Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, Georgia, Dr. Daron Ferris, PI; Orange Coast Women’s Medical Group, Laguna Hills, California, Dr. Marc Winter, PI; Saddleback Women’s Medical Group, Laguna Hills, California, Dr. Daniel Sternfeld, PI; University of Arkansas, Little Rock, Arkansas, Dr. Alexander Burnett, PI; Pathology conducted by Dr. Ed Wilkinson, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, and; Dr. Stephen Raab, University of Colorado, Denver, Colorado.
About Guided Therapeutics
Guided Therapeutics, Inc. (Pink Sheets: GTHP) is developing a rapid and painless test for the early detection of disease that leads to cervical cancer. The technology is designed to provide an objective result at the point of care thereby improving the management of cervical disease. Unlike Pap and HPV tests, the device does not require a painful tissue sample and results are known immediately. GT has also entered into a partnership with Konica Minolta Opto to develop a non-invasive test for Barrett’s Esophagus using the LightTouch technology platform. For more information, visit GT’s web site www.guidedinc.com.
About the Conference
The 21st European Congress of Obstetrics and Gynaecology is sponsored by the European Board & College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (EBCOG) and is Europe’s foremost international congress for obstetricians and gynecologists. Participants include doctors from all of EBCOG´s 36 member countries and from many more. For more information, visit www.ebcog.org.
The Guided Therapeutics LightTouch™ Non-invasive Cervical Cancer Detection System is an investigational device and is limited by federal law to investigational use.
The project described was supported by an Award from the National Cancer Institute. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Cancer Institute or the National Institutes of Health. |
