Newly published study shows that the computer-assisted brush biopsy (CDx) increases the detection of esophageal pre-cancer by over 40%

SUFFERN, NY — Nov. 17, 2010 — The same technology platform behind the OralCDx test, used by dentists to rule out pre-cancer in commonly observed oral tissue changes, was recently shown to have an equally important benefit in detecting pre-cancer in the esophagus.

A recently published study in Digestive Diseases and Sciences found that when only two brush biopsies per patient were added to the standard protocol of 12 forceps biopsies per patient, the detection of esophageal pre-cancer was increased by 42%. As is the case in the oral cavity, one of the major benefits of the CDx transepithelial brush biopsy is that since it is less invasive than a scalpel or forceps biopsy, it can test a much larger surface area to detect dysplasia.

Pre-cancer in both common oral lesions and in Barrett's esophagus is often multi-focal. That is, there may be islands of pre-cancerous cells scattered among other tissue. The ability of the CDx brush biopsy to test a very wide tissue area may allow it to capture these areas of dysplasia that might be missed by a scalpel or forceps, which often obtains a more limited surface area of tissue.

"In every published study in which an OralCDx brush biopsy and a matching scalpel biopsy were performed by the same examiner, on the same tissue, and at the same time, the brush biopsy was found to be at least as sensitive as the scalpel biopsy," explains Drore Eisen, MD, DDS, medical director of OralCDx Laboratories. "This new study from the esophagus illustrates the mechanism by which the brush biopsy can often be more sensitive than a scalpel biopsy, and another reason why dentists can rely on OralCDx as their routine tool for ruling out oral pre-cancer in their patient's "everyday" tissue changes.

About OralCDx® —
OralCDx Laboratories, a division of Oral Cancer Prevention International, Inc., is the worldwide, exclusive provider of the BrushTest, utilizing patented and proprietary tissue sampling and cell analysis systems. The BrushTest is used by dentists and physicians to help prevent oral cancer, a disease that kills as many Americans as melanoma, twice as many as cervical cancer, and is rising among women, young people, and nonsmokers. Well over 25% of those found to have oral cancer do not use tobacco or abuse alcohol.

The BrushTest is taught in the majority of U.S. dental schools and is a covered benefit under Medicare, Medicaid, and most private U.S. medical and dental insurance plans. The accuracy of OralCDx was demonstrated in one of the largest studies in oral medicine ever conducted, performed at 35 academic centers in the U.S., involving nearly 1,000 patients. This study was published as the cover story of the Journal of the American Dental Association and earned OralCDx the ADA's prestigious Seal of Acceptance.

For more information on the OralCDx BrushTest, visit www.BrushTest.com.