Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — Luminate, a startup focused on developing a wearable device preventing hair loss during chemotherapy, is making strides toward commercial release according to TechCrunch. Luminate flagship product, a helmet called “Lily,” is designed to help patients undergoing chemotherapy retain their hair, addressing one of the most visible and emotionally challenging side effects of the treatment.
The majority of cancer patients consider hair loss the most traumatic aspect of cancer treatment. Our Lily therapy aims to prevent hair loss from occurring at any stage during cancer care.
At first glance, Luminate offer a concept that might sound futuristic, a helmet that prevents hair loss during chemotherapy, but the science behind it is surprisingly straightforward.
The helmet applies consistent pressure to the scalp, restricting blood flow to the capillaries and thereby preventing the chemotherapy drugs from reaching the hair follicles. This method has shown promising results, with Aaron Hannon, Luminate’s CEO and founder, stating that their initial tests helped 75% of participants retain their hair.
“We’ve had patients who’ve undergone four to 12 chemotherapy sessions and maintained a full head of hair. The feedback has been incredible, patients have said it significantly changed their experience during treatment,” Hannon shared. He added that the trials indicated minimal safety or comfort issues with the device, and wearing the helmet for longer periods even enhanced its effectiveness. Despite these promising early results, the company now faces the challenge of scaling up for broader testing in the United States.
“The next step is a multi-center study in the U.S. to obtain FDA clearance. We’re looking at sites in New York, Florida, and potentially Ohio, and we’re actively recruiting locations to participate in the trials,” Hannon explained. The upcoming study is expected to involve 85 patients over a seven-to-eight-month period, with a possible start date in November.
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Luminate is not stopping at hair retention. The team is also exploring other applications of their pressure-based technology, particularly in addressing chemotherapy-induced neuropathy, a condition that causes nerve damage in the extremities. Hannon noted that while compression garments like socks and gloves are already used to alleviate neuropathy, Luminate’s wearables aim to provide more precise and consistent pressure to improve results.
As Luminate continues to push forward with its innovative solutions, the company’s work has the potential to significantly enhance the quality of life for cancer patients undergoing treatment. Their upcoming FDA trials and expansion into other areas of oncology treatment could represent a breakthrough in how side effects are managed.
(Raidi/Agung)
