South East England Development Agency (SEEDA)

Funding to develop a saliva test to reduce oral cancer and other diseases caused by smoking

Release date: 13/11/2008

GFC Diagnostics is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a £20,000 Research and Development grant by the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) to fund the development of a novel test for smoking. The test detects cotinine (a breakdown product of nicotine) in saliva to identify smokers and monitor changes in their smoking habit. This Micro Grant will mean that the company will be able to develop a new type of cotinine test, based upon its patented SafeTube® technology.

Smoking is the major preventable cause of oral cancer and diseases of the mouth, head and neck - all very debilitating diseases. However, because smoking is now considered by many to be an anti-social activity, smokers often wish to deny smoking when questioned by a doctor or dentist, especially if they feel their treatment may be denied because of their habit. In truth, the medical professional would very rarely withhold treatment; what they want is the correct information so they can give the patient the best possible care, which may involve referral to a smoking cessation clinic.

Dr Graham Cope, in association with the Birmingham Dental Hospital, found that cotinine levels were closely associated with oral disease, as smoking causes bleeding and inflammation of the gums and causes the teeth to fall out. Showing patients the test result also increased their chances of quitting smoking. This study was later published in the British Medical Journal [BMJ 2005; 331: 999-1002].

The leader of the research, Professor Iain Chapple, Professor of Periodontology, said; “Among healthcare professionals, dental surgeons are often in contact with the population and are in an ideal position to provide counselling and advice on smoking cessation. Even basic measures aimed at smokers who are contemplating quitting have an important effect”.

Cotinine is universally accepted as the most sensitive and reliable test for detection of smoking. Currently, most tests detect cotinine in urine; however this is not really appropriate in a dental surgery. Also, there is increasing interest from the insurance industry in using saliva because it can be collected in public, under the eyes of the examiner, so there is no possibility of switching or adulterating samples – a common problem when testing urine for illicit drugs.

Bruce Savage, a co-founder and director of GFC Diagnostics, stated: “We are very grateful to receive the grant from the South East England Development Agency. This grant will enable the company to develop a product for detection of cotinine in saliva for which there is already considerable interest and which the company predicts could generate significant sales income in the future”.

GFC Diagnostics currently sells the SmokeScreen test for cotinine in urine throughout the world; in addition it has a test for detection of a drug used to treat TB called isoniazid. Here the IsoScreen test is used to detect adherence to the drug treatment regimen.