Made in Britain member and exemplary export business PAXMAN's advanced scalp cooling system has now been cleared by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use during treatment of patients with solid tumors.
The PAXMAN Scalp Cooling System has been indicated to reduce the likelihood of chemotherapy-induced alopecia (CIA) in cancer patients with solid tumors such as: ovarian, breast, colorectal, bowel and prostate cancer. The expanded FDA clearance substantially increases the potential number of new cancer patients per year that the system can be marketed to in the USA – from an estimated 250,000 breast cancer patients to over one million breast cancer and solid tumor cancer patients.
Since its original FDA clearance in April 2017, PAXMAN has installed around 225 scalp cooling systems in the US with a further 65 systems awaiting delivery and installation. This clearance paves the way for more people to use PAXMAN Scalp Cooling and will undoubtedly have a positive impact on the number of patient enrolments for systems already installed. It also increases the likelihood of existing PAXMAN locations ordering additional systems in the future. It is the only scalp cooler in the world to offer a single patient use cooling cap to each user.
Leading US clinicians welcomed the news.
Professor Debu Tripathy of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, said: “This is another step forward in making cancer therapy more personalized and putting the patients in the driver’s seat as we create more options and pathways our patients.”
Steven Jay Isakoff, MD, PhD, medical oncologist of Massachusetts General Hospital, added: “Scalp cooling has been a real game changer for so many of our patients with breast cancer, minimising the risk of one of the most dreaded side effects of chemotherapy. Thanks to the recent expanded FDA indication for the Paxman Scalp Cooling system, so many more patients with solid tumors in the US can now consider this option as a safe and effective way to keep their hair during chemotherapy. We are already working on plans to make this available to all of our patients with solid tumors.”
Hair loss is a well-known side effect of many chemotherapy regimens, with many men and women reporting it to be the most traumatic aspect of their treatment. Scalp cooling provides a proven alternative to hair loss, resulting in a high level of retention or even complete hair preservation, improving patients’ self-confidence and creating positive attitudes towards treatment.
The Paxman Cooling System (also known as the 'cold cap') alleviates the damage caused to the hair follicles by chemotherapy. It works by reducing the temperature of the scalp by a few degrees immediately before, during and after the administration of chemotherapy. Liquid coolant passes through the cap extracting heat from the patient's scalp, ensuring the scalp remains at an even, constant temperature to minimise hair loss.
The PAXMAN Scalp Cooling System has been developed by the Paxman family to reduce hair loss in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. The concept behind the technology came when mother of four, Sue Paxman, experienced first-hand the trauma of chemotherapy induced hair loss. The company has since been on a personal journey to ensure Sue’s legacy lives on by helping people around the globe minimise chemotherapy-induced hair loss and contribute to their quality of life.
Nancy from The Rapunzel Project, an non-profit organization dedicated to helping chemotherapy patients keep their hair during treatment said they were thrilled.
She said: “Now all solid tumor patients will have the opportunity to choose this revolutionary technology to save their hair during chemotherapy. Reducing the likelihood of hair loss, a dreaded side effect of chemo, as well as protecting one’s identity and privacy while being treated for cancer, are game changing benefits for patients!”
Bethany Hornthal, founder of HairToStay, added: “HairToStay has had the privilege of subsidizing a growing number of Paxman scalp cooling users for nearly a year now. This expanded clearance, will increase this wonderful option for patients and we expect to see a significant increase in demand for scalp cooling and subsidies. Richard and his team understand the need to make scalp cooling as affordable as possible, and they have worked closely with us to create partnerships with medical facilities using the Paxman scalp cooling system. We look forward to even more partnerships, which in return will result in even greater access for patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment for cancer."
With more than 3,000 systems delivered in to hospitals, clinics and treatment centres around the world, PAXMAN is the leading supplier of Scalp Cooling technology.
More information about Paxman
PAXMAN is the leading global expert in scalp cooling for the prevention of hair loss during chemotherapy.
In the US, the company have developed a unique sales approach which involves a pay per-treatment or pay-per-patient revenue model. It was the company’s aims to revolutionise the current landscape of scalp cooling by ensuring that affordability is at the center of the treatment, thus enabling more patient choice. Through the PAXMAN Hub patients are supported throughout their scalp cooling journey from start to finish.
Made from lightweight silicone, the scalp cooling cap is soft and flexible - providing a snug, yet comfortable cap during treatment. Moulding to all head shapes and sizes, liquid coolant passes through the cap extracting heat from the patient's scalp, ensuring it remains at an even, constant temperature to minimise hair loss.
Backed by leading oncologists from around the world, the system has achieved global success in many hospitals and specialist cancer treatment centres.