A developing technology could soon help detect lung cancer in
its earliest stages.
Perceptronix Medical Inc. has signed a
contribution agreement with the National Research Council Canada (NRC) in
support of their ClearVu Elite advanced fluorescence bronchoscopy
system.
Vancouver-based Perceptronix is a private
cancer diagnostics company, a spin off of the B.C.
Cancer agency.
The $95,000 in funding is being provided by the NRC's Industrial
Research Assistance Program, which works with Canadian SMEs to
provide a variety of technical and business focused advisory
services and financial support.
The money from the NRC will cover the local Perceptronix
researchers who are conducting data analysis and modeling for
clinical trials, according to David Garner, vice-president and CSO,
Perceptronix.
A bronchoscopy is a procedure in which a cylindrical fiberoptic
scope is inserted into the airways. The scope contains a viewing
device that allows the visual examination of the lower airways.
Fluorescence bronchoscopy uses fluorescent light in the
bronchoscope to detect precancerous cells.
The procedure has been around for about 15 years, Garner
said.
"It was actually invented by the B.C. Cancer Agency," he said.
"It's used for lung cancer detection, for the very early or
pre-invasive stage -- you don't need it for more advanced lung
cancer than that."
If successful it is technology that is sorely needed because
current technologies only detect the cancer when the morbidity is
high 80 per cent, according to Christopher Ryan, NRC-IRAP's pacific
region executive director.
"Detection of lung cancer is problematic," said Ryan.
"(Perceptronix) hopes to lower the detection threshold considerably
thus increasing the chances of effective treatment."
According to Health Canada an estimated 153,100 new cases of
cancer and 70,400 deaths from cancer will occur in Canada in 2006.
The leading cause of cancer death for both sexes continues to be
lung cancer.
Garner said that the technology is still in the development
stage and is now in the equivalent of a phase two clinical study or
trial.
"We're at the stage of really proving that it works," he
said.
Garner estimated the trial will be completed by the end of the
year, and that the system should hit the market in about two
years.
Ryan said that successful completion and commercialization by
Perceptronix could potentially be a great success story.
"It would have a great health impact in Canada and also
globally," he said. "The potential success is one of the reasons
the NRC supported this project."
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