LED Medical Diagnostics Announces Successful Results For Latest Clinical Research Using VELscope Tissue Fluorescence Technology
VANCOUVER, BC--(Marketwired - January 26, 2016) - LED Medical Diagnostics Inc. (TSX VENTURE: LMD) (LEDIF) (LME.F) ("LED" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that the results of a study, titled "Fluorescence Visualization-Guided Surgery for Early-Stage Oral Cancer", have been published in the Journal of the American Medical Association - Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery.
The publication reports the findings of a retrospective, case-control observational study that was conducted on 246 patients from September 1, 2004, to August 31, 2009. The study showed a significant reduction in the rate of local recurrence of early-stage squamous cell carcinoma and high-grade precancerous lesions in patients where VELscope tissue fluorescence visualization was used to assist in determining the surgical margin for excision, compared to those patients where conventional methods were used.
"This is really a revolutionary way for surgeons to visualize a diseased region," stated Dr. Catherine Poh, principal investigator and Provincial Oral Medicine Leader for Oral Oncology at the BC Cancer Agency. "We are now working with head and neck surgeons across Canada to conduct a multi-center trial that will convince the world to change practice and improve the treatment of oral cancer."
"The results of this important clinical study will be of great interest to oral cancer patients and practitioners alike," commented Dr. David Gane, CEO of LED. "It adds to the growing body of peer reviewed literature that corroborates the use VELscope as an effective adjunct in oral cancer treatment, while further supporting its use in concert with a comprehensive oral examination to screen for the presence of oral cancers and pre cancers."
"Fluorescence Visualization-Guided Surgery for Early Stage Oral Cancer" has been published online in the Journal of the American Medical Association - Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery (JAMA Otolaryngology Head Neck Surg. Published online January 14, 2016. doi:10.1001/jamaoto.2015.3211). For access to the complete study, visit http://goo.gl/Xp4Hao.
About Dr. Catherine Poh
Dr. Catherine Poh is an associate professor in the Faculty of Dentistry at the University of British Columbia, a clinician scientist at the BC Cancer Agency, and an oral pathologist and researcher at the Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute. She is also a Canadian Institutes of Health Research clinician scientist and a Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research Scholar. Dr. Poh is also one of two practicing oral maxillofacial pathologists in British Columbia, Canada, and an active staff member of the Oral Oncology Department of the BC Cancer Agency as well as the Oral Mucosal Disease Program at Vancouver General Hospital. Her primary research focus involves application of molecular and imaging tools for community screening, early detection, and management of cancerous and precancerous oral lesions.
About VELscope® Vx Enhanced Oral Assessment
The distinctive blue-spectrum light of the VELscope Vx Enhanced Oral Assessment System causes the soft tissues of the mouth to naturally fluoresce. Healthy tissues fluoresce in distinct patterns that are visibly disrupted by trauma or disease, such as neoplastic lesions, chemical irritation, and side effects from medication, thermal damage, and fungal, viral or bacterial infections. Use of the VELscope Vx handheld adjunctive device allows a wide variety of oral abnormalities to be discovered, often before they become apparent to the unassisted eye. It is also the only tissue fluorescence device with photo/video documentation capabilities through the viewing mechanism, a key function for referrals and patient records.
There are more than 40,000 new cases of oral cancer diagnosed in the United States alone every year and early detection is critical for survival; when detected early, the five-year survival rate rises from less than 50% to more than 80%. VELscope systems are used during more examinations for oral cancer and other oral diseases than any other adjunctive device. For more information, visit www.velscope.com.
About LED Medical Diagnostics
Founded in 2003 and headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, LED Medical Diagnostics Inc., through its wholly-owned subsidiaries LED Dental Inc. and LED Dental Ltd, provide dentists and oral health specialists with advanced diagnostic imaging products and software, in addition to the award-winning VELscope tissue fluorescence visualization technology. Backed by an experienced leadership team and dedicated to a higher level of service and support, LED Dental is committed to providing dental practitioners with the best technology available by identifying and adding leading products to its growing portfolio. The Company is currently listed on the TSX-V under the symbol "LMD", the OTCQX under the symbol "LEDIF", as well as the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the symbol "LME". For more information, call 884.952.7327 or visit www.leddental.com/investor-relations.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
The publication reports the findings of a retrospective, case-control observational study that was conducted on 246 patients from September 1, 2004, to August 31, 2009. The study showed a significant reduction in the rate of local recurrence of early-stage squamous cell carcinoma and high-grade precancerous lesions in patients where VELscope tissue fluorescence visualization was used to assist in determining the surgical margin for excision, compared to those patients where conventional methods were used.
"This is really a revolutionary way for surgeons to visualize a diseased region," stated Dr. Catherine Poh, principal investigator and Provincial Oral Medicine Leader for Oral Oncology at the BC Cancer Agency. "We are now working with head and neck surgeons across Canada to conduct a multi-center trial that will convince the world to change practice and improve the treatment of oral cancer."
"The results of this important clinical study will be of great interest to oral cancer patients and practitioners alike," commented Dr. David Gane, CEO of LED. "It adds to the growing body of peer reviewed literature that corroborates the use VELscope as an effective adjunct in oral cancer treatment, while further supporting its use in concert with a comprehensive oral examination to screen for the presence of oral cancers and pre cancers."
"Fluorescence Visualization-Guided Surgery for Early Stage Oral Cancer" has been published online in the Journal of the American Medical Association - Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery (JAMA Otolaryngology Head Neck Surg. Published online January 14, 2016. doi:10.1001/jamaoto.2015.3211). For access to the complete study, visit http://goo.gl/Xp4Hao.
About Dr. Catherine Poh
Dr. Catherine Poh is an associate professor in the Faculty of Dentistry at the University of British Columbia, a clinician scientist at the BC Cancer Agency, and an oral pathologist and researcher at the Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute. She is also a Canadian Institutes of Health Research clinician scientist and a Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research Scholar. Dr. Poh is also one of two practicing oral maxillofacial pathologists in British Columbia, Canada, and an active staff member of the Oral Oncology Department of the BC Cancer Agency as well as the Oral Mucosal Disease Program at Vancouver General Hospital. Her primary research focus involves application of molecular and imaging tools for community screening, early detection, and management of cancerous and precancerous oral lesions.
About VELscope® Vx Enhanced Oral Assessment
The distinctive blue-spectrum light of the VELscope Vx Enhanced Oral Assessment System causes the soft tissues of the mouth to naturally fluoresce. Healthy tissues fluoresce in distinct patterns that are visibly disrupted by trauma or disease, such as neoplastic lesions, chemical irritation, and side effects from medication, thermal damage, and fungal, viral or bacterial infections. Use of the VELscope Vx handheld adjunctive device allows a wide variety of oral abnormalities to be discovered, often before they become apparent to the unassisted eye. It is also the only tissue fluorescence device with photo/video documentation capabilities through the viewing mechanism, a key function for referrals and patient records.
There are more than 40,000 new cases of oral cancer diagnosed in the United States alone every year and early detection is critical for survival; when detected early, the five-year survival rate rises from less than 50% to more than 80%. VELscope systems are used during more examinations for oral cancer and other oral diseases than any other adjunctive device. For more information, visit www.velscope.com.
About LED Medical Diagnostics
Founded in 2003 and headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, LED Medical Diagnostics Inc., through its wholly-owned subsidiaries LED Dental Inc. and LED Dental Ltd, provide dentists and oral health specialists with advanced diagnostic imaging products and software, in addition to the award-winning VELscope tissue fluorescence visualization technology. Backed by an experienced leadership team and dedicated to a higher level of service and support, LED Dental is committed to providing dental practitioners with the best technology available by identifying and adding leading products to its growing portfolio. The Company is currently listed on the TSX-V under the symbol "LMD", the OTCQX under the symbol "LEDIF", as well as the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the symbol "LME". For more information, call 884.952.7327 or visit www.leddental.com/investor-relations.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.