Lifeline begins First Warning trials

Breast cancer detection firm Lifeline BioTechnologies announced last month that it has received clearance to proceed with a 1200-women clinical trial for the company’s work-in-progress First Warning system.

The multicenter study will be conducted in Buenos Aires and La Plata, Argentina, under the guidance of Dr. Martin Laguens. Lifeline selected the sites because of the large number of unscreened female patients available for study through government medical programs. The three-part protocol will include women referred to breast clinics for existing problems, women recommended for surgical biopsy, and women who have never been screened.

Reno, NV-based Lifeline is developing First Warning as an early-detection, nonimaging breast cancer system for women considered too young for x-ray mammography. The system measures minute temperature changes in breast tissue over a 24 to 36-hour period with leads attached to the skin and a monitor that records data (SCAN 10/28/98). Lifeline hopes to file an application with the Food and Drug Administration next year for use of the product in detecting breast cancer, according to the company.