A study from the Netherlands Cancer Institute reported data uncovering a substantial group of traditionally miscategorized low-risk HER2+ patients. Agendia's (Amsterdam, the Netherlands) breast cancer tumor recurrence test, MammaPrint, was used to differentiate between patients at high and low risk for recurrence. HER2+ patients are commonly identified as high risk, yet MammaPrint was able to identify a low risk subgroup of HER2+ patients, who subsequently experienced a 10 year disease-free survival of close to 90% even in the absence of (neo)adjuvant trastuzumab (Herceptin) and chemotherapy. MammaPrint is the first FDA-cleared in vitro diagnostic multivariate index assay. It identifies patients with early metastasis – those who are likely to develop metastases within five years following surgery. Several authoritative studies have shown that chemotherapy particularly reduces early metastasis risk. In planning treatment, the MammaPrint test result provides a doctor with a clear rationale to assess the benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy in addition to other clinical information and pathology tests.

• Applied Precision (Issaquah, Washington) reported the introduction of a new imaging system that it said has twice the resolution of traditional microscopes. The DeltaVision|OMX system is based on the OMX microscopy system developed by scientists at the University of California, San Francisco and exclusively licensed to Applied Precision. The DeltaVision|OMX system solves two fundamental limitations that have frustrated scientists, spatial and temporal resolution. Over the past year, Applied Precision has built six early adopter DeltaVision|OMX systems into laboratories. These systems are aiding scientists studying HIV, neurological disease, cancer, DNA repair, gene regulation, and a host of other diseases and mechanisms.

• Guided Therapeutics (Norcross, Georgia) said that it submitted the first of three modules of its PMA application to the FDA for the LightTouch, a non-invasive cervical cancer detection device. The LightTouch technology systematically and rapidly scans the cervix to identify cancer and pre-cancer painlessly and non-invasively by analyzing the wavelengths of light reflected from cervical tissue. The technology distinguishes between normal and diseased tissue by detecting biochemical and morphological changes at the cellular level. Unlike Pap or HPV tests, the LightTouch test does not require a tissue sample or laboratory analysis, and is designed to provide results immediately. According to studies published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Lower Genital Tract Disease, the non-invasive LightTouch test has the potential to be significantly more accurate when compared to the Pap test and human papilloma virus test, two standard tests women currently undergo for cervical screening and diagnosis.

• Kinetic Concepts (San Antonio) reported the launch of its new V.A.C. Simplace Dressing that features both a newly designed V.A.C. GranuFoam Dressing and a 3M Tegaderm Dressing designed exclusively for use with KCI's V.A.C. Therapy System. The features of the Simplace kit are designed to simplify the V.A.C. Therapy dressing application process allowing a broader user-base to become comfortable using the technology with less training. Several new features are incorporated into the new kit. The new spiral-shaped V.A.C. GranuFoam Dressing is pre-scored, reducing the need to cut the foam making it easier to place in the wound site. The 3M Tegaderm Dressing conforms to the body and flexes with the skin to help ensure that there is an optimal environment established for wound healing. Patients may also benefit from the proprietary adhesives that are incorporated into the Tegaderm Dressing which can improve comfort and flexibility of the dressing. These new features, coupled with the ease of application, should help improve compliance with the therapy.