Now, a 3D cell-imaging platform for early detection of lung cancer in sputum

Washington, August 3 (ANI): American scientists have developed an automated three-dimensional cell-imaging platform aimed at detection of lung cancer in sputum.

The Lung Cell Evaluation Device (LuCED), jointly developed by experts from VisionGate, Inc. and the University of Washington, can detect pre-cancerous and cancerous cells in sputum.

In a study, the researchers assessed a large number of normal cells and cancer cells using the new device.

They have revealed that LuCED automatically produces 3D cell volumetric data, allowing for the measurement of 3D cellular features that correlate with abnormal conditions.

They say that the cell measurements are then translated into an analytical score that reflects the patient's cancer risk.

LuCED, based on 3D cell analysis, produced near perfect discrimination between normal and cancer cell morphology.

"Based on abnormal cell prevalence counts in sputum from patients with cancer, we estimate that the LuCED test demonstrates near-perfect specificity (no false positives) while maintaining sensitivity that exceeds 90 percent for patients with lung cancer cells in their sputum," says Michael Meyer, lead author and vice president for image engineering at VisionGate.

"This type of 3D analysis provides an unobstructed and unambiguous representation of normal and abnormal cell morphology, making the LuCED test an effective means to guide the physicians' further diagnostic workup, including diagnostic CT or bronchoscopy," he added.

Meyer will present the findings of the study at the Moscone Center in California on Tuesday. (ANI)