SAN ANTONIO, Texas– bioAffinity Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: BIAF; BIAFW), a biotechnology company addressing the need for noninvasive detection of early-stage lung cancer, today announced that the American Medical Association (AMA) has released a Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code specifically for use with CyPath® Lung, a noninvasive test for early-stage lung cancer.
Created and maintained by the AMA’s independent CPT Editorial Panel, CPT codes provide a uniform system to identify medical services and procedures and seek reimbursement from private payers and public health insurance programs, including Medicare and Medicaid. The reimbursement code for CyPath® Lung will be effective Oct. 1, 2023.
“Our mission is to detect cancer at an early stage to improve long-term survival. The AMA’s approval of a CPT code specific to CyPath® Lung is an important milestone along that path,” bioAffinity Technologies President and CEO Maria Zannes said. “We believe the CPT code is recognition by clinical and industry experts that our noninvasive test is an innovative addition to current clinical practice for patients at high risk for developing lung cancer.”
Marketed by Precision Pathology Services as a laboratory developed test (LDT), CyPath® Lung uses flow cytometry and automated analysis to profile patient sputum samples to reliably predict the presence of lung cancer. CyPath® Lung incorporates a fluorescent porphyrin, TCPP, that is preferentially taken up by cancer and cancer-related cells. In a recent clinical trial, CyPath® Lung showed 92% sensitivity and 87% specificity in high-risk patients who had lung nodules smaller than 20 millimeters.
When a low dose computed tomography (LDCT) scan reveals nodules smaller than 20 millimeters, doctors and patients may not have a clear path forward. The common choices are to “wait and see” what the next scan reveals or proceed with an invasive procedure, including biopsy, that may turn out to be unnecessary.
“The AMA’s recognition of CyPath® Lung reflects the need for noninvasive and accurate follow-up in patient care after lung cancer screening,” Ms. Zannes said. “Actionable results from our test will help doctors and their patients determine appropriate next steps for suspected cases of lung cancer.”
The CyPath® Lung CPT code was approved as a Proprietary Laboratory Analyses (PLA) code, which can be provided by a single laboratory or licensed or marketed to multiple providing laboratories. CyPath® Lung is currently available through Precision Pathology Services, an accredited CAP/CLIA laboratory in San Antonio, Texas.
