Two Wayne State University School of Medicine professors are the key co-inventors of a new breast cancer screening technology that the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute will build and market through a new company.

Peter Littrup, M.D., professor of the Department of Radiology and the Karmanos Cancer Institute, and Neb Duric, Ph.D., professor of the Department of Radiation Oncology and the Karmanos Cancer Institute, developed the new technology, called Computerized Ultrasound Risk Evaluation. The technology will be marketed under the name SoftVue through a spinoff company called Delphinus Medical Technologies LCC.

Karmanos officials announced the launch of the new company Nov. 16.

“I’m proud to work with a dedicated team of physicians, scientific researchers and other medical experts who are committed to having a world free of cancer,” said Ann G. Schwartz, Ph.D., M.P.H., interim president and chief executive officer of Karmanos Cancer Institute. “Neb Duric and Peter J. Littrup, as well as their entire research team, never lost sight of the significance of achieving their goal. They continue to work tirelessly so this incredible imaging technology can go beyond the trial stage to benefit more people and help save lives.”

Dr. Littrup designed the ultrasound clinical studies and Dr. Duric is the project director of ultrasound tomography technology.

The SoftVue system is a tomographic ultrasound imaging and risk assessment device that examines women’s breasts for the presence of benign and malignant masses. The process does not involve radiation or compression. Instead, the breast is submerged in warm water and an ultrasound ring surrounds the breast and captures detailed three-dimensional images through the use of sound waves.

The system is also able to perform repeated imaging, a necessary tool for monitoring and treatment assessment. Through its three-dimensional capabilities, SoftVue can accurately measure breast density, a known risk factor for developing breast cancer. The system provides enhanced fusion imaging incorporating reflection, sound speed and sound attenuation information. The detailed images generated allow radiologists to make accurate breast cancer diagnoses. The results are similar to those provided by magnetic resonance imaging, but testing with the SoftVue system takes only minutes and costs much less.

What differentiates the SoftVue system from mammography, the current standard for breast cancer screening, is that this unique technology helps to accurately detect many early stages of breast cancer even in women with dense breast tissue, often not picked up by mammography.

"From a physics perspective, mammograms have the disadvantage of using X-rays, a form of radiation that can potentially damage tissue," Dr. Duric explained. "This is a major reason mammography usage is limited in the general population. It is also the main reason mammography cannot produce 3-D images. The radiation dosage would be too high to image the breast from many different angles. This is why mammography compresses the breast in order to make the breast as two-dimensional as possible, creating the discomfort that comes along with the exam. Our technique does not use X-rays but rather sound waves, which are completely safe at the levels of sound energy that we use. The technology is therefore unconstrained in the way mammography is and that is why we can do 3-D imaging and why we do not have to compress the breast. The exam is therefore both safe and comfortable."

More than 300 women were involved in the initial clinical studies that confirmed that SoftVue accurately and safely identifies breast cancer. SoftVue uses multi-parametric ultrasound and sophisticated computer algorithms rather than X-rays. The SoftVue exam takes about one minute, does not involve radiation or compression as the current mammography, and is a fraction of the cost of magnetic resonance imaging. It’s believed that it will help reduce the number of false positives that can occur with mammography and thereby reduce unnecessary biopsies.

“The work conducted by Dr. Littrup and Dr. Duric in developing this new technology is representative of the type of pioneering research that breaks new ground at the Wayne State University School of Medicine,” said Valerie Parisi, M.D., M.P.H., M.B.A., interim dean of the School of Medicine. “Our faculty members truly do change the face of medicine regularly. Millions of women around the world will benefit from the research of these doctors.”

Research carried out with the SoftVue product has been conducted under an investigational device exemption. The process to secure approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is under way.

Delphinus -- Latin for dolphin -- symbolizes the use of underwater sound signals representative of SoftVue. The company’s leadership team includes Chief Executive Officer William C. Greenway, Chief Medical Officer Dr. Littrup and Chief Technical Officer Dr. Duric. The company has already secured sale commitments for the SoftVue system from several health institutions nationally and internationally.

Karmanos and Delphinus officials said the new company will create new jobs. Approximately 50 to 100 highly technical engineering system and software positions will be needed within the next three to five years, company officials said. Final assembly, testing and quality assurance of the product will be performed at the company’s facility, which will be located in southeast Michigan.

Delphinus plans to use dealer sales organizations in the United States, as well as imaging original equipment manufacturers outside the U.S., for product distribution. The company will follow up with the introduction of the product for screening women who are at high risk of breast cancer and eventually serve the entire spectrum of breast imaging needs.

Delphinus seeks to raise $5.5 million in venture capital to finance the company’s projected activities for the next 24 to 30 months. For more information on Delphinus visit www.delphinusmt.com or call (313) 576-8252.

You can help raise funds for the Hiller ALS Center at the Wayne State University School of Medicine while enjoying a tasty pasta recipe created by one of the school’s faculty members.

Jeffrey Loeb, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor of Neurology and Molecular Medicine and Genetics, has been selected as an ambassador of the Hiller’s Good Deeds in the Making program. The program is an effort to raise funds for worthy causes through the sale of prepared foods.

Through Nov. 30, you can purchase Jeff Loeb’s Bowtie Pasta at the prepared foods counter at all seven Hiller’s Markets. All of the profits from the sales of the dish will be donated to the Hiller ALS Center at the School of Medicine.

“I hope that if people like the dish they’ll buy more and more through Nov. 30 so we can send funds to a cause that many know is near and dear to my heart,” said Dr. Loeb, who also serves as associate director of the Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics. “The recipe is a great impromptu, no-hassle weeknight dinner or it can be part of your Thanksgiving feast, and the best part is, you’ll help me raise money to keep funding research and treatment for ALS as we work toward a cure.”

The center was established when Jim Hiller, CEO of Hiller’s Markets, pledged $1 million to establish the clinic and research center at WSU in 2007. Hiller’s mother died of complications from ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. The center focuses on comprehensive team-centered research and patient care while collaborating extensively with other universities and programs which also conduct cutting-edge neuromuscular research.

“I’m honored to be part of a community led by Jim Hiller, who is dedicated to supporting important causes and companies right here in Michigan,” Dr. Loeb said.

Patricia Gussin, M.D., a 1971 graduate of the Wayne State University School of Medicine, has an alter ego. In addition to medicine, Dr. Gussin is a writer of thriller novels, and her third, “The Test,” was published this month.

She will sign copies of her latest book Oct. 29, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Barnes & Noble store on the campus of Wayne State University.

“The Test” revolves around six siblings of the Parnell family. Determined to leave something more valuable than money to his children, philanthropist Paul Parnell stipulates a most unusual will. This book, like her previous two – “Shadow of Death” and “Twisted Justice” – reflect her passions for family and medicine, Dr. Gussin said.

“Shadow of Death, set in Detroit during the 1967 riots, was nominated for a Best First Novel award by the International Thriller Writers. The novel was also incorporated into a sociology course and a contemporary urban history course at two separate universities.

Born in Grand Rapids, Mich., Dr. Gussin is a graduate of Aquinas College. After receiving her medical degree from Wayne State University, she earned a master’s degree in business administration from Columbia University. 

She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians, a member of the American Academy of Family Medicine, former member of the American Pain Society, past president of the Drug Information Association, and a former officer of the American Society for Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics.

She and her husband, Dr. Robert Gussin, divide their time Florida, New York and their vineyards in New Zealand.

Administrators from an out-of-state medical college were on campus this week to tour the Richard J. Mazurek, M.D., Medical Education Commons, looking for ideas to incorporate into their own expansion plans.

A delegation from the Medical College of Georgia toured the Mazurek facilities Wednesday and Thursday. Executive Vice Dean Robert Frank, M.D., and Ron Spalding, chief administrative officer of Academic and Student Programs for the School of Medicine, led the group through the building, which officially opened in June.

The visiting officials became aware of the Mazurek through Michael Herbert and Donna Dauphinais, former School of Medicine employees who now work at the Medical College of Georgia.

Roman Cibirka, D.D.S., vice president for Instruction and Enrollment Management and associate provost for Academic Affairs for the Medical College of Georgia, said he had already discovered a “pocketful” of ideas to take back to his college only part-way through the tour. His college is about to break ground for a medical education building and plans to enroll 300 medical students per class beginning in 2020.

“The Mazurek is a magnificent new building, and we’re happy to show it off and explain its features,” Dr. Frank said. “We are more than happy to assist colleagues who are about to launch a similar program.”

Silas Norman Jr., M.D., assistant dean of Admissions for the Wayne State University School of Medicine, has been appointed president of the Paine College National Alumni Association.

The college is located in Augusta, Ga., and Dr. Norman, a 1962 graduate, is a native of Augusta. He received his bachelor’s degree in Natural Sciences from Paine, and while there served as freshman class president and student chairman for two years. He also served as chairman of the college’s Steering Committee, a student organization that oversaw civil rights activities.

Dr. Norman, a 1976 graduate of the Wayne State University School of Medicine, also attended Atlanta University and the University of Wisconsin – Madison. He is an assistant professor of Medicine at WSU in addition to assistant dean for Admissions.

A member of the American College of Physicians, the American and National Medical Associations and the Wayne County, Detroit and Michigan State Medical Societies, Dr. Norman has received the United Negro College Fund’s Year 2000 Alumni Achievement Award, the Wayne State University Organization of Black Alumni Award, and the Michigan Department of Community Health’s Vision Award.

The Wayne State University School of Medicine’s Department of Pathology presents its fifth annual full-day post-graduate course on “Contemporary Issues in Diagnostic Pathology” on Oct. 3.

The program, which will take place at the Ritz-Carlton in Dearborn, has been designed for pathologists, clinicians, pathology residents and fellows, said Rouba Ali-Fehmi, M.D., associate professor of the Department of Pathology.

“This one-of-a-kind continuing medical education activity features nationally and internationally recognized medical professional guest speakers who will provide an understanding of problematic and current issues in gastrointestinal tumor pathology with emphasis on molecular, morphologic diagnostic features and clinicopathologic correlation,” said Dr. Ali-Fehmi, course director. “Our previous courses had attendance from medical professionals around the United States and Canada, and have been reviewed as a most outstanding one-day intensive course in medical pathology.”

Speakers will include Mary P. Bronner, M.D., associate professor of Surgical Pathology and Cytopathology, and section head of Morphologic Molecular Pathology for the Cleveland Clinic Foundation; Jining Feng, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor of Surgical Pathology and Cytopathology for Wayne State University, the Detroit Medical Center and the Karmanos Cancer Center; David Lucas, M.D., professor and director of Immunohistochemistry Surgical Pathology and Soft Tissue Tumor Pathology for the University of Michigan; Hala R. Makhlouf, M.D., Ph.D., professor of Pathology, the Division of Hepatic Pathology, and the Department of Hepatic and Gastrointestinal Pathology for the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology; Robert Daniel Odze, M.D., F.R.C.P.C., associate professor and chief of Gastrointestinal Pathology Service at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School; Robert Petras, M.D., F.C.A.P., F.C.A.G., national director of Gastrointestinal Pathology Services and director of the Ameripath Institute of Gastrointestinal Pathology and Digestive Disease; Faisal Qureshi, M.D., associate professor of Surgical Pathology and Perinatal Pathology for Wayne State University, the Detroit Medical Center and the Karmanos Cancer Center; and Richard J. Zarbo, M.D., D.M.D., senior vice president, and Kathleen D. Ward, chairwoman of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine for the Henry Ford Health System.

Topics include “Barrett’s Esophagus and Neoplasia: Pathologists’ Dilemma, Physicians’ Nightmare,” “Diagnostic Pathology and Molecular Genetics of Idiopathic Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Practical Guide for the Practicing Pathologist,” “Working LEAN in Surgical Pathology,” “Microsatellite Instability and Serrated Polyps in Common Practice,” “Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors: Contemporary Issues in Diagnostic Pathology” and “Chronic Hepatitis: A Practical Approach to Biopsy Interpretation, Grading and Staging.”

For more information and to register, visit http://www.wsupathology.org or contact Lydia Cuper at lcuper@dmc.org or (313) 745-2520.