Invention:
This technology is an anti-CEACAM6 antibody tagged with fluorescent labels. The idea is that these fluorescent antibodies can be used for real-time molecular fluorescence imaging to help guide the surgical removal of a tumor. This technology is targeted toward breast cancer.
Background:
Over half of the 270,000 breast cancer diagnoses in the United States are for early stage disease; this is the population of women who will ultimately benefit from this research. A majority of these women will be candidates for breast conserving surgery, which consists of removal of the primary breast cancer with a surrounding margin of normal tissue.
Breast conservation is associated with decreased operative risk, shorter recovery time, and decreased disruption of body image and quality of life. Furthermore, there is no difference in breast cancer mortality between lumpectomy and total mastectomy. Because of these significant advantages, breast conserving surgery continues to be the preferred operative approach for unifocal breast cancer.
Applications:
- Breast conserving surgery
Advantages:
- Less invasive
- More effective
- Safer
- Shorter recovery time
