NEWTON, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Lumicell Inc., a privately held company focused on innovative fluorescence-guided imaging technologies for cancer surgery, today announced promising initial data from its ongoing feasibility study for lead candidate LUMISIGHT™ to detect peritoneal malignancies during surgical debulking. The ongoing study is utilizing the investigational LUMISIGHT optical imaging drug and accompanying imaging device to distinguish tumor metastases to organs within the peritoneum. The initial results from adult patients were shared in a podium presentation by James C. Cusack, Jr. MD, Associate Professor of Surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital, at the Advanced Cancer Therapies meeting organized by the Society of Surgical Oncology.

“This data advances the potential for image-guided surgery to detect small tumors and metastases to organs in the peritoneal cavity which could provide better outcomes for our patients,” said Dr. Cusack. “Further innovation is desperately needed to improve the benefits of cytoreductive surgery for this invasive and elusive cancer. We look forward to continuing the clinical development program with Lumicell and advancing patient care.”

The presence of peritoneal metastases has a significant negative impact on survival for patients. One of the most important determinants of treatment success and long-term overall survival is the ability to achieve removal of all visible cancer during initial surgery prior to the heated chemotherapy for a complete cytoreduction.^2-5

“We are highly encouraged by this initial data in a promising new indication, as we continue to expand the development of LUMISIGHT across the spectrum of solid tumors. Everything we do at Lumicell is focused on improving surgical outcomes for patients,” said Howard Hechler, President of Lumicell.

About Peritoneal Surface Malignancies and Metastasis

Peritoneal surface malignancies include primary peritoneal malignant mesothelioma and tumors that have spread from different organs, referred to as peritoneal metastases. These metastases can originate from organs such as appendiceal, colorectal, gastric, pancreatic, and ovarian cancers, and affect more than 75,000 patients each year in the United States.¹

The presence of disease and the extent of disease are often difficult to be fully evaluated by conventional non-invasive imaging techniques such as CT scan, PET scan, or MRI. Small peritoneal surface nodules are often detected at the time of surgical exploration by the surgeon’s eyes versus conventional imaging techniques.

One of the most important determinants of treatment success and overall survival is the ability to achieve complete cytoreduction (CCR).^2-5 While patients with no residual disease (CCR0) or minimal residual peritoneal surface tumor nodules less than 2.5 mm in maximum diameter (CCR1) have significantly better survival than those with residual nodules more than 2.5 mm in maximum diameter (CCR2), patients with CCR0 have experienced the best clinical outcomes.^2,3,5

About Lumicell, Inc.

Lumicell is a privately held company focused on the development and commercialization of innovative fluorescence-guided technologies for cancer surgery with the potential to improve patient outcomes and reduce healthcare costs. The company’s first products pending approval are LUMISIGHT™ and the Lumicell™ Direct Visualization System which, in combination, are designed to illuminate cancerous tissue during initial surgery potentially reducing the frequency of repeat surgeries. LUMISIGHT and the Lumicell Direct Visualization System are investigational products, both limited by federal law to investigational use only and are not commercially available. These products are currently under FDA review for their first indication in breast conserving surgery; and are also being explored across a wide variety of solid tumor indications to enhance the standard of care treatment by guiding the resection of additional cancer that may have otherwise been left behind. For more information, please visit www.lumicell.com or follow us at LinkedIn and X.

1. Foster, J.M., Zhang, C., Rehman, S., Sharma, P. and Alexander, H.R. (2023), The contemporary management of peritoneal metastasis: A journey from the cold past of treatment futility to a warm present and a bright future. CA A Cancer J Clin, 73: 49-71. https://doi.org/10.3322/caac.21749
2. Elias, D., F. Quenet, and D. Goere, Current status and future directions in the treatment of peritoneal dissemination from colorectal carcinoma. Surg Oncol Clin N Am, 2012. 21(4): p. 611-23.
3. Glockzin, G. and P. Piso, Current status and future directions in gastric cancer with peritoneal dissemination. Surg Oncol Clin N Am, 2012. 21(4): p. 625-33.
4. Helm, C.W., Current status and future directions of cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy in the treatment of ovarian cancer. Surg Oncol Clin N Am, 2012. 21(4): p. 645-63.
5. Votanopoulos, K.I., et al., Current status and future directions in appendiceal cancer with peritoneal dissemination. Surg Oncol Clin N Am, 2012. 21(4): p. 599-609.
6. Chan, C.H., et al., Preclinical Evaluation of Cathepsin-Based Fluorescent Imaging System for Cytoreductive Surgery. Ann Surg Oncol, 2017. 24(4): p. 931-938.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240220631263/en/