In a recent large-scale prospective study led by the Barcelona Institute of Global Health (ISGlobal), researchers say they observed an association between some air pollutants and mortality from kidney, bladder and colorectal cancer. This new information leads researchers to consider better, more effective diagnostics in these critical areas.
Companies developing diagnostics and medical devices to prevent or diagnose these conditions include Boston Scientific Corp. (NYSE: BSX), Baxter International, Inc. (NYSE: BAX), Becton, Dickinson and Co. (NYSE: BDX), and Imagin Medical Inc. (CSE: IME) (OTC: IMEXF).
Some of the companies looking to provide answers in this area have seen very positive growth this year, with the leaders taking new steps to innovate around research, which appears to paying off.
Three of these leaders are very well known and getting attention from analysts and from peers, while one small company is looking to add major innovations in the medical imaging space.
Imagin Medical Inc., (CSE: IME) (OTC: IMEXF) is quickly earning interest for its new, patented technology for use in medical imaging targeting bladder cancer. The company is heading into human testing with its i/Blue™ cancer imaging technology, which could offer real promise for the serious disease.
Three major companies on a path of positive momentum despite the upheaval in the US healthcare system are Boston Scientific Corp. (NYSE: BSX), which makes pacemakers and defibrillators, among other cardiovascular and endoscopic devices; Baxter International, Inc. (NYSE: BAX), which makes medical equipment like dialysis machines and infusion systems; along with Becton, Dickinson and Co. (NYSE: BDX) that makes supplies like needles, syringes and catheters.
AIR POLLUTION COULD BE A CULPRET
Most of us are aware that air pollution is classified as carcinogenic to humans, given its association with lung cancer, but at present it seems there is little evidence for its association with cancer at other body sites.
That is until the recent study by ISGlobal pointed out significant facts.
The study, published in Environmental Health Perspectives, included some 600,000 adults in the US who participated in the Cancer Prevention Study II. They were followed for 22 years (from 1982 to 2004).
The scientific team examined associations of mortality from cancer at 29 sites with long-term residential exposure to three ambient pollutants: PM2,5, nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and ozone (O3).
Altogether, over 43,000 non-lung cancer deaths were registered among the participants.
Of particular interest was the fact that PM2,5 was associated with mortality from kidney and bladder cancer, with a 14 and 13% increase, respectively, for each 4.4 μg/m3 increase in exposure. In turn, exposure to NO2 was associated with colorectal cancer death, with a 6% increase per each 6.5 ppb increment.
No significant associations were observed with cancer at other sites in the body.
These initial findings lead investigators to seriously consider how these areas may be diagnosed.
Michelle Turner, ISGlobal researcher explains.
"This research suggests that air pollution was not associated with death from most non-lung cancers, but the associations with kidney, bladder and colorectal cancer deserve further investigation" Turner says.
IMAGIN MEDICAL AND OTHERS COULD HELP DIAGNOSE EARLY
Companies looking to provide answers need better tools to diagnose, and also treat these specific rises in different forms of cancer. Imagin Medical has taken a lead in the space with its initial focus on bladder cancer.
Imagin Medical is the developer of the i/Blue™ Imaging System to help detect bladder cancer and reduce its recurrence by dramatically improving the urologist's ability to visualize, identify and then remove cancerous cells.
Bladder cancer is the sixth largest market for cancer treatment and yet treatment approaches have not really changed over the past 25 years. It is also the most expensive form of cancer to treat, accounting for cumulative costs of $4 billion or about 3.2% of all cancer care each year.
Imagin's system uses new endoscopic technology combined with white light and video imaging to visualize the human bladder in order to detect cancer. This, combined with fluorescing drugs and specialized blue light imaging, can vastly improve the visualization of tumors many times over.
According to the company, Imagin's i/Blue™ system increases sensitivity for detecting the cancer specific contrast agent by 5 orders of magnitude or 100,000X.
BETTER TECHNOLOGY TO PREVENT, INTERCEDE
The goal for most research in these fields is to develop better prevention, diagnostics and treatment, especially in previously undetected areas.
Imagin's new technology is exactly the architype for this. Its approach allows the system to accurately image in less than 15 minutes vs. the one-hour period required to metabolize drugs using conventional fluorescing system.
At the same time, its computer application cleans, reprocesses, blends and displays the image of the bladder and cancer onto a single monitor at the same time. This allows for multiple perspectives of the bladder on a single system, as opposed to switching between white to blue light systems.
Importantly, the i/Blue™ system's advancement in sensitivity improves surgeons' ability to detect even flat cancers and to visualize their margins for more complete removal. This can dramatically reduce the risk of recurrence, slowing the progression of the disease
The i/Blue™ System is able to improve results, simplify procedures, save time and money.
It is exactly what's needed to help improve the diagnostics space.
NEW DATA, NEW REALITIES
It seems evident from the ISGlobal study that there are many unknowns on the frontiers of cancers –some that we have made assumptions about and that are now changing.
Also changing dramatically is the need for innovation in the medical diagnostics and device market. There appears plenty of room for solid companies to flourish in this space.
If Baxter, B&D and Boston Scientific are any example, the leaders in the group will continue to add significant new approaches addressing better data.
Others like Imagin Medical can add important contributions. The company has already finished its prototype and moved into human testing to be carried out at University of Rochester Laboratory for Laser Energetics (LLE). This could result in the next major step and heading into commercialization.
As more data pours in surrounding pollution of all types and other cancer increases, expect to see a shift in sensitivity and outcomes.
POTENTIAL COMPARABLES
Boston Scientific Corp. (NYSE: BSX)
Boston Scientific Corporation develops, manufactures, and markets medical devices for use in various interventional medical specialties worldwide. It operates through three segments: Cardiovascular, Rhythm Management, and MedSurg. The company offers interventional cardiology products, including drug-eluting coronary stent systems used in the treatment of coronary artery disease; other coronary therapy products to treat atherosclerosis; intravascular catheter-directed ultrasound imaging catheters, fractional flow reserve devices, and systems for use in coronary arteries and heart chambers, as well as certain peripheral vessels; and structural heart therapy systems and products to diagnose and treat diseases of the pulmonary and gastrointestinal conditions; devices to diagnose, treat, and ease pulmonary disease systems within the airway and lungs; and spinal cord stimulator systems for the management of chronic pain. The company was founded in 1979 and is headquartered in Marlborough, Massachusetts.
Baxter International, Inc. (NYSE: BAX)
Baxter International Inc. provides a portfolio of renal and hospital products. The company operates through two segments, Hospital Products and Renal. The Hospital Products segment manufactures intravenous (IV) solutions and administration sets, premixed drugs and drug-reconstitution systems, pre-filled vials and syringes for injectable drugs, IV nutrition products, parenteral nutrition therapies, infusion pumps, inhalation anesthetics, and biosurgery products. This segment also provides products and services related to pharmacy compounding, drug formulation, and packaging technologies. The Renal segment provides products to treat end-stage renal disease, irreversible kidney failure, and acute kidney therapies. The company sells its products for use in hospitals, kidney dialysis centers, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, doctors' offices, and by patients at home under physician supervision.
Becton, Dickinson and Co. (NYSE: BDX)
Becton, Dickinson and Company develops, manufactures, and sells medical supplies, devices, laboratory equipment, and diagnostic products worldwide. It operates in two segments, BD Medical and BD Life Sciences. The company markets its products through independent distribution channels and sales representatives to healthcare institutions, life science researchers, clinical laboratories, pharmaceutical industry, and general public. It has a strategic collaboration with FlowJo, LLC. Becton, Dickinson and Company was founded in 1897 and is headquartered in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey.
For a more in-depth look into IME you can view the in-depth report at USA News Group:
http://usanewsgroup.com/2017/11/12/checkpoint-inhibitors-show-promise-in-bladder-cancer-2-3-3-2/
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