NanoEcho is attempting to fill a void in the current rectal cancer care. In fact, there are currently no good methods available, in preoperative evaluation, to detect cancer, spread to the lymph nodes, which is an important marker for the cancer’s progression. The majority of patients diagnosed with rectal cancer in early stages are recommended to undergo extensive surgery with high risk of complications in combination with radiation therapy. Most patients have to use ostomy bags after the surgery, and they usually suffer from leakages, infections and other complications, with considerable effects on their quality of life. It has also been shown that many patients undergo excessive surgery. We want to change that!
We are innovative and specialize in a novel, user-friendly imaging method known as magnetomotive ultrasound. Iron-oxide-based nanoparticles are used as a contrast agent for medical ultrasound imaging. The method offers high precision and makes it possible to detect cancer spread to the lymph nodes even before surgery. As a result, complication-prone surgery can be reduced as minimally invasive surgical procedures becomes an alternative for more patients, and more patients can maintain their quality of life.
Every year, about 600,000 patients worldwide develop rectal cancer. Sadly, about a third of them will die from the disease. To facilitate early detection and thus improve the chance of providing the right treatment, many countries have implemented rectal cancer screening programmes. In Sweden, the ambition is to introduce rectal cancer screening during 2021.
Our ambition is to commercialize our system and to establish our unique method as part of the rectal cancer standard of care. This way, we can provide medical teams that cater to patients suffering from rectal cancer the opportunity to offer each patient the best possible personalized cancer treatment, and thus the best prognosis.
We have the opportunity to either go to market with our product on our own or to seek cooperation with existing ultrasound and nanoparticles distributors. In the next stage, there will be significant scope for developing the method for, e.g., prostate cancer diagnostics.