#Ghent #Belgium #XEOS #BrIMA Study #PET-CT Imaging

XEOS Unveils Revolutionary Study Results

In a remarkable advancement in the field of surgical oncology, XEOS, a pioneering medical technology firm, has recently announced the publication of its groundbreaking BrIMA (Breast cancer Intraoperative Margin Assessment) study in JAMA Surgery, a prestigious peer-reviewed journal. This study marks a significant step forward in the use of intraoperative molecular imaging, particularly the AURA 10® PET-CT system, in improving the accuracy of intraoperative margin assessment during breast-conserving surgery.

Study Highlights and Findings

Conducted across multiple esteemed medical centers, the BrIMA study is the largest prospective multicenter evaluation to date that explores the utility of specimen PET-CT for assessing surgical margins. This innovative imaging technique has demonstrated substantial improvements in identifying and managing positive margins—a persistent challenge that affects approximately 12-30% of breast-conserving surgeries. Positive margins often necessitate reoperations, which can impose additional physical, emotional, and financial burdens on patients.

The study reported impressive results: success rates in patients with invasive ductal carcinoma (the most prevalent type of breast cancer) improved significantly from 83.3% without the aid of intraoperative margin assessment to 95.2% with specimen PET-CT imaging. Furthermore, across all breast cancer subtypes analyzed, the success rates rose from 76.4% to 91.9%, showcasing the technique’s effectiveness in enhancing surgical outcomes.

Transforming Surgical Practices

Vincent Keereman, the XEOS Founder and CEO, highlighted the study's vital finding: surgeons gained crucial insights at key decision-making moments during surgery. Traditional methods often reveal positive margins well after the surgery is completed, losing the opportunity for immediate corrective actions. With the AURA 10® system, actionable information is provided while patients remain in the operating room, facilitating informed decisions at the surgical moment.

Unlike conventional techniques that only evaluate parts of the excised tissue and may yield limited two-dimensional data, the AURA 10® PET-CT system integrates molecular and three-dimensional imaging, allowing for a thorough visualization of the entire surgical specimen. The device operates seamlessly within the surgical workflow, delivering results in approximately ten minutes without the need to transport specimens outside the operating room. This efficiency could potentially revolutionize the current surgical practices.

Dr. Menekse Göker, the primary author and a breast surgeon at Ghent University Hospital, emphasized the importance of the BrIMA findings: “The results demonstrate reliable intraoperative visualization across multiple breast cancer subtypes, effectively integrating into routine surgical practice.” This capability can help in the timely identification of positive margins and allow surgeons to implement necessary interventions during the same surgical session.

Implications for the Future

Breast-conserving surgery represents a standard treatment approach for many women diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer. The need for improved surgical methodologies is underscored in a healthcare landscape increasingly focused on minimizing reoperations, enhancing patient outcomes, and streamlining surgical practices. The BrIMA study results provide promising evidence supporting the future incorporation of intraoperative molecular imaging techniques like specimen PET-CT in broader oncological applications, thus advancing the standard of care in cancer surgery.

As XEOS continues to push the frontiers of surgical cancer treatment with innovative imaging technologies, the implications of the BrIMA study reach far beyond breast cancer, potentially influencing future oncological surgical practices. The complete findings are detailed in the publication available in JAMA Surgery, serving as an important resource for medical professionals dedicated to improving surgical outcomes.