MitaMed’s Unique Offering - The EndoVE® Device
EndoVE® Clinical Application
The EndoVE® device offers a novel, minimally invasive approach for the treatment of gastrointestinal cancers. MitaMed have focused clinical trials particularly in the area of colorectal cancer, which is the second largest cause of cancer in the western world. The disease is associated with a poor survival rate, and over 50% of cases of colorectal cancer occur in patients over 70. Many patients are diagnosed at a late (metastatic) stage, whereby treatment options are quite limited, therefore creating the need for a minimally invasive colorectal tumour ablation method.
The EndoVE® device is designed to attach to a standard endoscope without impairing normal visibility for the oncology practitioner. It is designed in such a way that it allows direct tumour visualisation and targeting which is of imperative importance. The procedure is based on the principal of electrochemotherapy and functions by delivering electroportaing pulses internally to the tumour tissue. The tumour tissue is captured in place within the chamber of the device by a vacuum; this brings the tumour in contact with the plate electrodes within the chamber, allowing electric field application. The chemotherapeutic drug can either be administered intravenously or intratumourally by engaging with the tissue within the chamber. The electroporating pulses produced by the electrode system within the device increase the porosity of the tumour cells making them much more permeable. Increasing the permeability of tumour cells then allows a much more efficient absorption of the chemotherapeutic drug. Absorption of the drug forces the tumour cell in to a cell death cascade. The electroporating pulses do not cause as much of a disruption to the surrounding healthy cells therefore these cells do not absorb as much of the drug and are left virtually unharmed by the procedure. As the drug delivery is targeted directly to the site of the tumour, there is a significant reduction of over 90% of the chemotherapeutic drug (bleomycin or cisplatin) used.
EndoVE® Device – Benefits to Patients
There are significant advantages to patients with this minimally invasive procedure. As it is a targeted therapy it negates the need for extensive chemotherapy thus improving a patient’s quality of life. There are no known side-effects of the device, and the treatment is provided on an outpatient basis which means it does not involve long stays in hospital. As it is such a quick procedure (under 30 minutes) it reduces operative time significantly, therefore there are much fewer anaesthetic risks. The EndoVE® also provides a positive solution for those patients diagnosed with inoperable colorectal cancers. Currently the only option for such patients is symptom relief with a defunctioning colostomy or stent placement. The EndoVE® device carries a much lower risk than either of these two options. The EndoVE® also offers a much quicker recovery time for patients and an overall greater quality of life.
EndoVE® – The Future Approach for GI Tumours
Used appropriately,minimally invasive techniques such as the EndoVE® have the potential to lead to an overall standard of patient care. The device is unique and offers a major advantage over the current cancer therapies. The EndoVE® is a disruptive technology that could become the standard approach used to treat gastrointestinal and other intraluminal cancers that currently have an unmet clinical need. MitaMed is offering a unique solution that is medically remarkable. Based on the successful principal of electroporation, the EndoVE® uses standard endoscopy skills to provide a minimally invasive procedure for complete ablation of gastrointestinal tumours. It allows healthy tissue to remain uncompromised and is financially attractive in terms of treatment and after-care costs.