Trial will focus on chronic pancreatitis patients
December 3, 2024 Chicago, IL: NovaScan, a clinical stage oncology company based in Chicago, today announced that a new clinical trial has started employing the NovaScan Canary biopsy assessment device to detect developing pancreatic cancers in high-risk populations.
Pancreatic cancer is among the most lethal of cancers, with a five-year survival rate of 13%. Most pancreatic cancers are not caught until they are advanced. Survival rate improves to 44% if the cancer is treated when it remains localized, making early detection and treatment critical (Source: American Cancer Society, Cancer Facts & Figures 2024).
NovaScan’s Canary device has been testing pancreatic cancer patients in EUS (endoscopic ultrasound) procedures since 2023. By combining an assessment of the Cole Relaxation Frequency with machine learning, the Canary helps to inform clinicians on whether a biopsy core is likely to contain cancer. The Canary assessment can be completed right next to the patient, can take only seconds, and does not require a trained operator.
This new trial, at the University of Illinois Hospital in Chicago, will focus on patients with chronic pancreatitis who have not yet developed cancer. NovaScan’s machine learning algorithms identify both cancer and pre-cancerous conditions. There is no screen today for pancreatic cancer. The study will see if NovaScan can identify patients where cancer is about to develop, so patients may be carefully monitored and treated earlier than they would be otherwise.
The Principal Investigator for this trial is Dr Paul Grippo, Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of Illinois College of Medicine. Other investigators include Brian Boulay MD, Ashley Vareedayah MD, and James Love, MD, all of the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology in the same institution.
“There is no current screening for pancreatic cancer.” remarked Dr Grippo. “Associating changes in bioimpedance as lesions become more sinister could help clinicians make significant progress in the treatment of this very lethal disease.”
“NovaScan’s collaboration with Dr Grippo and UIC is longstanding.” noted NovaScan CEO Craig Davis. “We are excited to take this next step towards identification of a more treatable pancreatic cancer.”
About the University of Illinois College of Medicine: The University of Illinois College of Medicine in Chicago is renowned for its pioneering medical research, fostering innovation and scientific discovery with attention to healthcare disparities. With cutting-edge facilities and a diverse student body, UICOM provides an environment where future physicians are prepared to excel in advancing healthcare and addressing the needs of underserved communities.
About NovaScan: Based in Chicago, NovaScan (www.novascaninc.com) is a clinical stage oncology diagnostic and stratification company that has developed a low cost, point of care platform for real time cancer detection and stratification. NovaScan’s platform is active in skin, GI, lung, and breast.