CDx Diagnostics Announces Live Demonstration Series of the New WATS3D Biopsy at DDW 2012

SUFFERN, NY--(Marketwire - May 17, 2012) - CDx Diagnostics announced today that Seth A. Gross, MD, Director of Advanced Endoscopy, Norwalk Hospital, Norwalk, Connecticut, will be demonstrating the new EndoCDx WATS3D (Wide Area Transepithelial Sample) 3-dimensional biopsy during the ASGE Hands-On Workshop taking place at the Digestive Disease Week® 2012 conference on Monday, May 21st from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm PT. The WATS3D biopsy with computer-assisted laboratory analysis addresses the sampling limitations of standard esophageal forceps biopsy, has been shown to increase detection of the precancerous conditions Barrett’s esophagus and dysplasia by up to 40%(1,2) and is easily performed in about a minute’s time. The high sensitivity of the WATS3D is due to the large tissue area sampled, and the proprietary 3-dimensionial computer imaging system that is based on an algorithm developed as part of the U.S. Strategic Defense Initiative missile defense program. CDx Diagnostics is exhibiting at booth #424 throughout the conference which runs from May 19 - 22 in San Diego.

“About 30 million Americans report having heartburn, or Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), at least twice a week. Of this group, approximately 10% will develop altered cells in their esophagus called Barrett’s esophagus. While Barrett’s esophagus is not lethal, in some patients it can lead to esophageal cancer, which is deadly and, unfortunately, one of the fastest growing types of cancer,” said Dr. Gross. “In addition, if esophageal dysplasia is detected in time, cancer can be prevented. The WATS3D biopsy makes it much more likely that any precancer present will be found and therefore help us ultimately to prevent cancer,” he added.

About Digestive Disease Week

DDW is the largest international gathering of physicians, researchers and academics in the fields of gastroenterology, hepatology, endoscopy and gastrointestinal surgery. Jointly sponsored by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) Institute, the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and the Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract, DDW takes place May 19 - 22, 2012, at the San Diego Convention Center. The meeting showcases more than 5,000 abstracts and hundreds of lectures on the latest advances in GI research, medicine and technology. For more information, visit www.ddw.org.

About CDx Diagnostics and the WATS3D biopsy

CDx Diagnostics (www.cdxdiagnostics.com) is the world’s leader in the prevention of cancer of the oral cavity, pharynx, larynx and esophagus through early detection of their pre-cancerous precursors. Clinicians use CDx patented WATS3D biopsy instruments to collect, through minimally invasive procedures, a wide area, disaggregated tissue specimen of the entire thickness of the suspect epithelium. This unique tissue specimen is then subjected to specialized, computer-assisted laboratory analysis. In clinical trials, CDx Diagnostics’ WATS3D biopsy significantly increased the detection rate of Barrett’s esophagus in GERD patients as well as precancerous changes in esophageal tissue (dysplasia) by up to 40%(1,2). The high sensitivity of WATS3D is due to the large tissue area sampled, and the proprietary 3-dimensionial computer imaging system that is based on an algorithm developed as part of the U.S. Strategic Defense Initiative missile defense program.

About Barrett’s Esophagus and Esophageal Cancer

Many cases of esophageal adenocarcinoma (EA) are preceded by chronic heartburn. Some heartburn patients develop altered cell patches in their esophagus. A condition known as dysplasia occurs as Barrett’s esophagus progresses to Barrett’s-associated cancer. Dysplasia is considered a precancerous condition and should be monitored very closely to ensure the cells do not become cancerous. Dysplastic cells are very similar to cancer cells but have not yet acquired the ability to invade into tissue or metastasize. The number of Americans diagnosed with esophageal adenocarcinoma has increased 600% over the last 25 years. It is now the fastest growing form of cancer in the U.S., and one of the most lethal of cancers, with a five year survival rate of less than 20%.

(1) Johanson, J. F., J. Frakes, D. Eisen, (2010). Computer-assisted analysis of abrasive transepithelial brush biopsies increases the effectiveness of esophageal screening: a multicenter prospective clinical trial by the endocdx collaborative group. Dig Dis Sci, e-pub
(2) Anandasabapathy, Sharmila, Stephen Sontag, David Y. Graham, Stephen Frist, Joan Bratton, Noam Harpaz, Jerome D. Waye, (2010). Computer-assisted brush-biopsy analysis for the detection of dysplasia in a high-risk barrett’s esophagus surveillance population. Dig Dis Sci, e-pub