Perceptronix Collaborates With BC Cancer Agency on Early Oral Cancer Detection Project
Vancouver, Canada (ots/PRNewswire)
Perceptronix Medical Inc.
("Perceptronix") today announced its participation in a research
project to detect early oral cancer lesions through a new initiative
inside the BC Oral Cancer Prevention Program. This Program is
bringing together a network of dentists, researchers and technology
companies to develop early screening programs for oral cancer.
Participation in this program is a result of a collaborative research
agreement signed between Perceptronix and researchers with the BC
Cancer Agency."The problem with oral cancer," says Dr. Miriam Rosin, Director of the BC Cancer Agency's Oral Cancer Prevention Program and lead investigator in the study, "is that there are often no symptoms in the early stages. And because it is a challenge to identify during the early stages, it is typically not diagnosed until the cancer has advanced and it is less responsive to treatment."
The National Cancer Institute of Canada estimates there were 3,000 new oral cancer cases and 1,100 deaths from the disease in 2006.
"During a routine dental exam, there are few clear signs to tell a dentist whether a sore in the mouth is due to inflammation, infection or cancer. The tools developed by Perceptronix and LED Dental Inc. could assist dentists in making those distinctions," added Dr. Rosin.
Patients volunteering for the screening program will be checked for early cancer using the VELscope(R) fluorescence device developed by LED Dental Inc. The VELscope will aid in identifying areas that require further investigation. The next step involves the ClearCyte(TM) Quantitative Cytology system developed by Perceptronix. The ClearCyte(TM) system can detect suspicious changes to DNA using non-invasive oral brushing samples taken by dentists during a routine check-up; these DNA changes could indicate a cancer risk. If there is a concern, patients will be referred quickly for further follow-up and treatment, whether cancer-related or not.
This research has been funded by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research and the National Institutes of Health. Research devices are provided by Perceptronix Medical Inc. and LED Dental Inc.
About Perceptronix Medical Inc. (www.perceptronix.com)
Perceptronix Medical Inc. (founded in 1999) is a private cancer diagnostics company based in Vancouver, Canada. Perceptronix commercializes early cancer detection technologies developed in partnership with the BC Cancer Agency, a world-leader in cancer care and research, with a particularly notable track record in pioneering early cancer detection programs. Perceptronix' products and services offer an improvement over existing detection and localization technologies and provide physicians with increased options for prolonging and improving the quality of patients' lives.
About the BC Cancer Agency (www.bccancer.bc.ca)
The BC Cancer Agency, a part of the Provincial Health Services Authority, is committed to reducing the incidence of cancer, reducing the mortality from cancer, and improving the quality of life of those living with cancer. It provides a comprehensive cancer control program for the people of British Columbia by working with community partners to deliver a range of oncology services, including prevention, early detection, diagnosis and treatment, research, education, supportive care, rehabilitation and palliative care. The BC Cancer Foundation raises funds to support research and enhancements to patient care at the BC Cancer Agency.
About LED Dental Inc. (www.velscope.com)
LED Dental Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of LED Medical Diagnostics Inc. (founded in 2003), is headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. LED Dental develops and markets medical screening devices based on its proprietary fluorescence visualization platform to aid in the early diagnosis and treatment of certain cancerous and precancerous lesions.
This news release is not, and under no circumstances, to be construed as, an advertisement, solicitation or offering of securities of Perceptronix Medical Inc. The statements made in this news release may contain certain forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual events or results may differ from the Company's expectations.
Contact:
For further information: Dr. Bojana Turic, Vice President, COO,
Perceptronix Medical Inc., Phone: +1-(604)-707-9037,
info@perceptronix.com; Media Contact: Amanda Smith, BSc, Smith
Biotech, Phone: +1-(778)-846-4116, amanda@smithbiotech.com