Discount Cancer Imaging System Developed for Emerging Economies

GE Healthcare (GE; Chalfont St. Giles, United Kingdom) has developed a discount molecular imaging system for cancer detection, intended for physicians practicing personalized medicine in emerging markets, especially India.

The new Discovery IQ positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) device is intended to measure a patient's response to cancer treatment. The device is designed to be paired with cyclotrons in advanced imaging centers to scan the human body and produce bio-markers that can light up cancer cells. Since about 70 % of cancer patients do not respond to their initial chemotherapy treatment, the PET-CT can help physicians determine if the treatment is beneficial with one or two chemotherapy cycles, reducing overall cost per patient.

An advanced molecular imaging center requires a PET-CT; however, setting up of a molecular imaging center is expensive and calls for a large financial investment which has prevented setting up of such early detection technology in India. With the support of several Indian entrepreneurs, GE has built a robust network of cyclotrons throughout India to minimize the investment required to set up a molecular imaging center, resulting in a reduced set-up in an Indian hospital at just INR 300 million [30 crore or about USD 5 million], presenting a significantly more affordable alternative to other systems on the market.

“Three years back, we promised to develop an advanced yet affordable PET-CT to improve access to early cancer detection. We have realized the commitment to provide an advanced PET- CT that is 40% more affordable and can usher in personalized treatment for the patient,” said Terri Bresenham, president and CEO of GE Healthcare South Asia. “We are extremely thankful to the Indian healthcare providers for their close collaboration and insights into their needs that has helped develop this important weapon against cancer.”

“PET/CT can become an integral part of cancer care management for every cancer center in India. Clinicians will now have ready access to tools that will allow evidence based and cost effective treatment. Together with our customers, we are focused on improving access, quality and affordable cancer care for the patient,” added N. R. Balamurugan, director of oncology at GE Healthcare South Asia.

If the biologically active molecule chosen for PET-CT is fludeoxyglucose (FDG), an analogue of glucose, the concentrations of tracer imaged will indicate tissue metabolic activity by virtue of the regional glucose uptake. Use of this tracer to explore the possibility of cancer metastasis is the most common type of PET scan in standard medical care (90% of current scans).

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