- Early detection of Barrett’s esophagus and dysplasia with WATS3D offers new solution to one of the most rapidly growing and fatal cancers in the United States -
SUFFERN, N.Y., April 12, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CDx Diagnostics, innovator of the WATS3D diagnostic tissue test for the detection and surveillance of Barrett’s esophagus (BE), a known precursor to esophageal adenocarcinoma (EA), recognizes and supports the goals of Esophageal Cancer Awareness Month in helping to educate patients and physicians about the role of screening and surveillance in enabling early detection of this highly lethal cancer. EA is one of the most rapidly increasing and fatal cancers in the United States, but patients should know that advances such as WATS3D in combination with high-definition endoscopes and endoscopic therapies enable improved detection and treatment that can save many lives every year.
WATS3D is a clinically proven diagnostic test used by gastroenterologists and surgeons for sampling and analyzing esophageal tissue. WATS3D takes tissue from a greater percentage of the target esophageal surface area than standard forceps biopsy and has been shown to sharply increase the detection of precancerous cells. The Company is proud to play a leading role in preempting EA, and has now processed more than 200,000 WATS3D tests.
“Gastroenterologists now have the diagnostic and therapeutic tools to help prevent esophageal adenocarcinoma,” said Dr. Anthony Infantolino, a gastroenterologist at Thomas Jefferson Medical Center in Philadelphia. “The key is finding precancerous cells before cancer can develop and WATS3D is a game changer in this area. With a larger tissue sample and advanced computer identification of unhealthy cells, pathologists can arrive at a diagnosis sooner and with more confidence and agreement about their finding.”
While the United States cancer death rate recently hit 25 years of decline, EA is one of the fastest growing and most fatal cancers in the United States. It is estimated that approximately 17,650 new cases of EA will be diagnosed this year and approximately 16,080 people will die from this disease. In many cases, with raised awareness, screening, physician training and the addition of WATS3D, EA is now a potentially preventable disease. It joins the growing list of preventable cancers including cervical cancer, melanoma and sporadic colon cancer.
The Key to Preventing Esophageal Adenocarcinoma:
- Consultation with a Gastroenterologist or Foregut Surgeon
- Detection of Precancerous Cells (Dysplasia)
- Removal of Precancerous Cells
WATS3D has been adopted by nearly 1,000 gastroenterologists and foregut surgeons from leading academic and community centers across the United States and has been clinically proven to increase detection of esophageal dysplasia (ED) and BE by more than 200% and 100% respectively.
“I am so thankful that my gastroenterologist used WATS3D along with standard forceps biopsy,” said Bob Webb, a patient with chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and BE. “While the standard biopsy results came back negative for precancerous cells, WATS3D found high grade dysplasia which are precancerous cells that can progress to cancer. My doctor was able to remove these cells, and thanks to WATS3D I feel I have really dodged a bullet.”
“The more than 200,000 WATS3D tests performed to date in the United States have spared many Americans from developing EA, a cancer that is frequently fatal,” said Mark Rutenberg, Founder and CEO of CDx Diagnostics. “Esophageal Cancer Awareness Month plays a critical role in further reducing the morbidity and mortality of EA by helping to educate the public about the well-defined connection between heartburn and cancer and about the role that screening and surveillance play in early detection and removal of precancerous cells before they can progress to EA. I hope that patients will take Esophageal Cancer Awareness Month as a catalyst to discuss their GERD symptoms with their primary care physician and consult with a gastroenterologist to understand their status and cancer risks.”
To learn more about WATS3D, visit www.wats3d.com.
About WATS3D
WATS3D addresses the major inadequacies inherent in current random forceps biopsy testing of the esophagus. In just a few minutes, endoscopists can easily obtain a wide area, full-thickness transepithelial specimen for computer-assisted 3D laboratory analysis prior to diagnosis by a pathologist. In large multicenter clinical trials, WATS3D has been found to significantly increase the detection rate of both Barrett’s esophagus and esophageal dysplasia. The high sensitivity and inter-observer agreement of WATS3D is due to the larger tissue area sampled, and the proprietary 3-Dimensional computer imaging system that is based on an artificial intelligence algorithm developed as part of the U.S. Strategic Defense Initiative missile defense program. To learn more about WATS3D, visit www.wats3d.com.
About CDx Diagnostics
CDx Diagnostics’ mission is to provide clinicians with easily implemented, cost effective tools to preempt cancer through enhanced detection of precancerous cellular changes. This is accomplished by a proprietary diagnostic platform that synthesizes computer imaging, artificial intelligence, molecular biology and three-dimensional cytopathology to detect precancerous change earlier and more reliably than prior methods. CDx tests require only a few minutes of practice time, are highly cost effective, widely reimbursed, and address a recognized critical gap in the current diagnostic standard of care that results in thousands of otherwise unnecessary cancer deaths each year. Routine clinical use of CDx testing in the oral cavity and esophagus has prevented thousands of cancers, and application of the CDx diagnostic platform to prevent cancers of the throat, bile duct, liver, pancreas, stomach, and colon is currently in progress.
Contact:
Chantal Beaudry or John Guerriero for CDx Diagnostics
cbeaudry@lazarpartners.com
jguerriero@lazarpartners.com
212-867-1779