What's Happening?
Nucleix, a liquid biopsy company, has announced the publication of a study in European Urology Oncology demonstrating the effectiveness of its Bladder EpiCheck test in detecting high-grade bladder cancer recurrences. The study highlights that Bladder EpiCheck,
when used alongside standard white light cystoscopy (WLC), significantly improves the detection of high-grade non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) recurrences. The test showed superior sensitivity, detecting 92% of high-grade NMIBC/MIBC cases compared to 63% by WLC. The study involved 231 high-grade NMIBC patients over a median follow-up of 16 months, with Bladder EpiCheck outperforming WLC in identifying recurrences, particularly in cases of carcinoma in situ (CIS). This advancement allows for earlier intervention, potentially avoiding more invasive treatments like bladder removal.
Why It's Important?
The introduction of Bladder EpiCheck represents a significant advancement in the management of bladder cancer, particularly for high-grade NMIBC patients. By improving early detection rates, the test can lead to earlier interventions, reducing the risk of progression to muscle-invasive bladder cancer, which often requires more drastic treatments such as cystectomy. This not only enhances patient outcomes but also reduces healthcare costs associated with advanced cancer treatments. The test's non-invasive nature and high accuracy make it a valuable tool for physicians, potentially setting a new standard in bladder cancer surveillance and management.
What's Next?
Following the study's promising results, Nucleix plans to further commercialize Bladder EpiCheck in the United States, where it is already FDA 510(k) cleared for bladder cancer recurrence. The company is also advancing its Lung EpiCheck test towards commercialization for high-risk individuals and evaluating additional tests for other high-risk diseases. These efforts could expand the use of non-invasive, highly sensitive cancer detection methods, potentially transforming cancer diagnostics and treatment strategies.
