Researchers from Australia and the UK have patented Orcellex brush which is capable of collecting oral cytological samples with liquid-based preparation for early detection of oral cancer.

With approximately 600,000 patients diagnosed with oral cancer annually, there is increasing effort for preventive measures, accurate diagnosis and early detection of dysplastic tissues. Squamous cell carcinoma is considered the most fatal oral cancer; and it requires minimally invasive techniques to take tissue biopsies from the oral mucosa. Such techniques include oral brushing with liquid-based preparation using a special brush designed for collecting tissue samples from inside the epithelium.

Orcellex brush showed good results in terms of patients’ tolerability as well as its capability to capture a good number of cells (35,000–90,000) from diverse locations in the oral mucosa, thanks to its unique geometry design. It is considered one-of-a-kind oral brush specifically designed for oral cancer, enhanced with computer-assisted screening of transepithelial specimens including basal cell layers. It has fine, rigid polyethylene bristles that are capable of penetrating the epithelium with least discomfort as reported by volunteers who described their experience as “painless.”

It is now a device that can be used safely with confidence to collect samples from all epithelial layers in a non-invasive method. In addition, DNA collection can be completed using a special kit containing the Orcellex brush. The brush is currently used in research work for quantitative assessment of malignant risk; but its results are still in comparison to other similar tools and devices.