Can Optiscan’s Imaging Tech Shift the Future of Head and Neck Cancer Treatment?
Optiscan Imaging Ltd has initiated Australia’s first intra-operative head and neck cancer imaging study using its advanced InVue® and InForm™ devices, aiming to enhance surgical precision and support FDA regulatory submissions.
- First-in-human head and neck cancer imaging study in Australia
- Collaboration with Australian Clinical Labs and St John of God Murdoch Hospital
- Use of InVue® and InForm™ devices for real-time surgical imaging
- Study to recruit 50 patients and led by Dr Chady Sader
- Data to support US FDA submissions and advance AI imaging algorithms
A Groundbreaking Clinical Initiative
Optiscan Imaging Ltd (ASX – OIL) has embarked on a landmark clinical study focused on head and neck cancer imaging, marking a significant milestone for the Australian medical technology sector. The study, conducted at St John of God Murdoch Hospital in Perth, is the first of its kind in Australia to collect intra-operative imaging data using Optiscan’s proprietary InVue® and InForm™ devices. This initiative follows ethical clearance and is led by renowned head and neck cancer surgeon Dr Chady Sader.
The study aims to recruit 50 patients undergoing surgery for oral, oropharyngeal, and related squamous cell carcinomas. These cancers are notoriously complex and challenging to treat, with survival rates heavily dependent on early detection and the completeness of surgical removal. By integrating real-time microscopic imaging during surgery, Optiscan hopes to provide surgeons with unprecedented insights into tissue structures, potentially improving surgical outcomes.
Innovative Technology Meets Clinical Need
Optiscan’s InVue® device offers high-resolution, sub-cellular imaging of soft tissues during surgery, allowing surgeons to observe tissue layers up to 400 micrometers deep. This is complemented by the InForm™ digital pathology device, which analyzes pathology specimens in collaboration with Australian Clinical Labs. The study will also assess the uptake of fluorescein sodium, an FDA-approved contrast agent, enhancing the clarity and accuracy of imaging.
This study builds on recent strategic partnerships, including a collaboration with Australian Clinical Labs for pathology analysis and an agreement with US-based Long Grove Pharmaceuticals to use their fluorescein drug (AK-FLUOR®) in future US clinical trials. These collaborations position Optiscan to leverage data across multiple jurisdictions, supporting regulatory submissions and accelerating commercialisation efforts.
Potential Paradigm Shift in Head and Neck Oncology
Dr Camile Farah, Optiscan’s CEO, emphasised the study’s significance in bridging the gap between traditional histopathology and immediate clinical decision-making. The technology promises to enable surgeons to assess tissue margins and cancer clearance in real time, potentially reducing the need for repeat surgeries and improving patient outcomes.
Dr Chady Sader expressed optimism about the study’s potential to advance surgical tools and improve cancer detection and treatment. The non-interventional design ensures that patient care protocols remain standard, while gathering vital imaging data that could transform future clinical practice.
As the study progresses, Optiscan plans to update the market on patient recruitment and interim results, which will be closely watched by investors and clinicians alike for indications of the technology’s clinical and commercial viability.
Bottom Line?
Optiscan’s pioneering study could redefine surgical precision in head and neck cancer, with regulatory and commercial milestones on the horizon.
Questions in the middle?
- How quickly will patient recruitment progress and what interim data can be expected?
- What impact will the study’s findings have on FDA approval timelines in the US?
- How will Optiscan’s AI imaging algorithms evolve with the new clinical data?
