Lumicell, an MIT spinout, has developed a real-time imaging system that significantly reduces the need for repeat surgeries in breast cancer patients undergoing lumpectomies. The technology, which received FDA approval earlier this year, combines a handheld device with an optical imaging agent to allow surgeons to visualize residual cancer cells during surgery.
Intraoperative Imaging for Improved Outcomes
Breast cancer is the second most common cancer among women in the United States. Most patients undergo lumpectomies to remove the tumor and surrounding tissue. However, approximately 20% require a second surgery due to incomplete removal of cancerous tissue. Lumicell's technology addresses this issue by providing surgeons with a real-time view of the surgical cavity, enabling them to remove additional cancerous tissue during the initial procedure.
In a clinical trial involving 357 patients, Lumicell's system not only decreased the necessity for subsequent surgeries but also identified tissue suspected of containing cancer cells that may have been overlooked by standard lumpectomy procedures. The optical imaging agent is administered intravenously two to six hours before surgery. During the procedure, the surgeon uses Lumicell's handheld imaging device to scan the breast cavity. Cancer detection software then highlights areas of concern on a monitor, guiding the surgeon to remove any remaining cancerous tissue. This process adds an average of less than 7 minutes to the overall surgery time.
Addressing Limitations of Traditional Pathology
According to W. David Lee, co-founder of Lumicell, the technology scans the actual cavity, while pathology assesses only a small fraction (1-2%) of the removed lump's surface area. This comprehensive scanning approach allows for the detection of cancer left behind, potentially eliminating the need for second surgeries, and identifies cancer in some patients that would not be found in pathology.
Interdisciplinary Innovation at MIT
The development of Lumicell's technology was a collaborative effort involving experts from various fields at MIT, including chemistry, engineering, and biology. Researchers like Moungi Bawendi, Linda Griffith, and W. David Lee combined their expertise to create this innovative imaging system. The Koch Institute Frontier Research Program provided crucial funding for the initial research.
Expanding Applications to Other Cancers
Lumicell is currently investigating whether its imaging agent can be activated in other tumor types, including prostate, sarcoma, esophageal, and gastric cancers, potentially broadening the impact of this technology.
