CerCa TX

The CerCa device utilizes photodynamic therapy (PDT) to treat pre-cancerous lesions on the cervix (CIN). PDT is a clinically proven therapeutic modality already approved by the “Food and Drug Administration (FDA)”. PDT is based on the principles of photochemistry and involves the application of a photosensitizing compound (FS) in this case in form of a cream, this FS selectively stays fixed to affected cells and clears from healthy cells in less than 60 minutes time. When light of a certain wavelength is applied to the affected tissue which has been covered with a FS a photochemical reaction starts that leads to the generation of active oxygen molecules called singlet oxygen (1O2). While light, FS and oxygen are individually non-toxic to tissue , the singlet oxygen generated as a result of the photochemical reaction is toxic and causes cell death to affected tissue. This technology has been used in the diagnosis and treatment of a wide variety of medical conditions from dermatological conditions, gastro-esophageal disorders to cancers. More recently, PDT has been studied for its potential in the treatment of local microbial infections because of their ability to destroy microbes specifically without affecting the surrounding tissue. This property is relevant in the treatment of CIN where eradication of HPV infection can be decisive for the complete remission (since CIN persistance and progression are associated with active HPV infection).

See & Treat Method

See and Treat is an initiative designed to reduce waiting times and improve the patient experience in different medical scenarios. CerCa treatment allows for a See and Treat strategy, which no other solution for Cervical Cancer offers today. Women go on their doctors visit, get diagnosed with the CerCa 150 System, and immediately go through treatment with the exact same device at the exact same time, offering diagnosis and treatment in the same visit. This is specially useful on rural and remote access settings, where diagnostic tests and treatments are not readily available or adherence to them is low.

Treatment Steps

  1. The patient goes through a routine gynecological physical examination.
  2. The Photosensitizing cream is applied to the cervix.
  3. The cream is allowed to absorb for 60 minutes.
  4. The diagnostic light of the CerCa 150 System is applied to the cervix, causing lesions to illuminate through fluorescence (if no lesions are found, no tissue illuminates).
  5. If lesions are found, the treatment light of the CerCa 150 System is used.
  6. Light is applied for 60 minutes.
  7. The health professional switches back to the diagnostic light and the cervix is checked again for lesions.

More information geared towards Patients & Caregivers can be found here.

More information geared towards Healthcare Professionals can be found here.