With over 40% of non-small cell lung cancer patients not responding to first line therapy it is critical to know sooner than later if the therapy is working. This is true with many other cancers. Cell>Point Colorado is completing a Phase 3 lung cancer imaging trial with an agent that should allow oncologist to know if the therapy is working as soon as 4 weeks not the current 8-12 weeks with FDG-PET imaging.
The key is not imaging inflammation
Current cancer imaging uses an isotope (such as 18F) coupled with deoxyglucose to target and light up the tumor. The problem is it also lights up inflammation surrounding the tumor caused by the therapy. In order to determine if the therapy is working, the follow-up image cannot be accurate until the inflammation subsides which can be 8-12 weeks. Using n-acetyl-glucosamine to target the tumor researchers at Cell>Point Colorado have found little to no uptake in inflammation, allowing the agent to determine if the therapy is working as little as 4 weeks.
Lowering the cost of healthcare and improving outcomes
According CMS and the cost of cancer therapy, the medical cost savings can exceed $25,000 per patient if you can move to second line therapy 4 weeks sooner for those patients that do not respond to first line therapy. Medical outcomes should increase significantly from eliminating a therapy sooner that is not benefiting the patient.
Access to cancer imaging is critical for medical treatment
Cell Point Colorado is using 99mTc not 18F to light up the tumor. This not only reduces radiation exposure but allows hospitals with SPECT cameras image the patient. SPECT cameras have been used since the 1950’s and 99% of the worlds hospitals have SPECT. As a comparison less than 5% of the worldwide hospitals have PET cameras.
Cell>Point Colorado is leading the way to improve healthcare and lower cost.
