K990138 · Diagnostic Systems Laboratories, Inc. · LOJ · Jun 21, 1999 · Immunology
Device Facts
Record ID
K990138
Device Name
DSL ACTIVE AFP ELISA, MODEL DSL-10-8400
Applicant
Diagnostic Systems Laboratories, Inc.
Product Code
LOJ · Immunology
Decision Date
Jun 21, 1999
Decision
SESE
Submission Type
Traditional
Regulation
21 CFR 866.6010
Device Class
Class 2
Indications for Use
The DSL 10-8400 AFP ELISA assay is intended for the quantitative determination of AFP in human serum. It is intended for in vitro diagnostic use to aid in the management of patients with nonseminomatous testicular cancer.
Device Story
The DSL 10-8400 ACTIVE™ AFP ELISA is an enzymatically amplified two-step sandwich immunoassay. Input: human serum samples. Process: samples incubated in microtitration wells coated with anti-AFP antibody; wells treated with HRP-labeled anti-AFP detection antibody; substrate TMB added. Output: enzymatic turnover measured via dual-wavelength absorbance at 450 and 620 nm. The absorbance is directly proportional to AFP concentration, calculated against a standard curve. Used in clinical laboratories by technicians to monitor AFP levels in patients with nonseminomatous testicular cancer. Results assist clinicians in assessing tumor burden, monitoring therapeutic response, and detecting residual or recurrent disease. Benefits include providing quantitative data to guide management of nonseminomatous germ cell tumors.
Clinical Evidence
Clinical evidence includes a longitudinal study of three patients with nonseminomatous testicular cancer, demonstrating the assay's ability to track AFP levels during chemotherapy and disease progression. Additionally, a cross-sectional study of 15 male patients with nonseminomatous testicular cancer was performed. Expected values were established using 199 healthy males and 72 healthy females. No formal diagnostic sensitivity/specificity metrics against a gold standard were provided, but the device was validated through method comparison with a predicate device.
Indicated for the quantitative determination of Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP) in human serum to aid in the management of patients with nonseminomatous testicular cancer. Not indicated for cancer screening in the general population.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
A tumor-associated antigen immunological test system is a device that consists of reagents used to qualitatively or quantitatively measure, by immunochemical techniques, tumor-associated antigens in serum, plasma, urine, or other body fluids. This device is intended as an aid in monitoring patients for disease progress or response to therapy or for the detection of recurrent or residual disease.
Special Controls
*Classification.* Class II (special controls). Tumor markers must comply with the following special controls: (1) A guidance document entitled “Guidance Document for the Submission of Tumor Associated Antigen Premarket Notifications (510(k)s) to FDA,” and (2) voluntary assay performance standards issued by the National Committee on Clinical Laboratory Standards.
Predicate Devices
Abbott IMx AFP Immunoassay
Submission Summary (Full Text)
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JUN 21 1999
### 510(k) SUMMARY OF SAFETY AND EFFECTIVENESS FOR THE DSL 10-8400 ACTIVE™ AFP ELISA KIT
| Name of Device: | DSL 10-8400 ACTIVE™ AFP ELISA Kit |
|------------------------|------------------------------------------------------|
| Classification Name: | Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay, Alpha-Fetoprotein |
| Analyte Code and Name: | Alpha-Fetoprotein |
| Regulatory Class: | II |
- Submitter: John Class Diagnostic Systems Laboratories, Inc. 445 Medical Center Boulevard Webster, Texas 77598 USA Phone:281-332-9678 E-mail: Jclass@dslabs.com
January 18, 1999 Date:
### DEVICE DESCRIPTION
The DSL ACTIVE™ AFP ELISA assay is intended for the quantitative determination of AFP in human serum. It is intended for in vitro diagnostic use to aid in the management of patients with nonseminomatous testicular cancer.
The DSL-10-8400 ACTIVE™ AFP ELISA is an enzymatically amplified "two-step" sandwichtype immunoassay. In the assay, Standards, Controls and unknown serum samples are incubated in microtitration wells which have been coated with anti-AFP antibody. After incubation and washing, the wells are treated with another anti-AFP detection antibody labelled with the enzyme horseradish peroxidase (HRP). After a second incubation and washing step, the wells are incubated with the substrate tetramethylbenzidine (TMB). An acidic stopping solution is then added and the degree of enzymatic turnover of the substrate is determined by dual wavelength absorbance measurement at 450 and 620 nm.
The absorbance measured is directly proportional to the concentration of AFP present. A set of AFP Standards is used to plot a standard curve of absorbance versus AFP concentration from which the AFP concentrations in the unknowns can be calculated.
Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP) is a 68 kDa protein which is produced primarily during fetal life by the fetal liver yolk sac [1].
Elevated AFP levels are seen in patients with nonseminomatous testicular cancer. More than 95% of testicular cancers belong to a hetergeneous group called germ-cell tumors because it is widely believed that they arise in primordial germ cells [3]. Germ cell tumors (GCTs) are classified either as seminomatous or as nonseminomatous. The latter can be further classified as embryonal carcinoma, teratoma, or choriocarcinoma. The seminoma histologic
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subtype can be found in 40% of all germ cell tumors while the nonseminoma histologic subtype can be found in 60% of germ cell tumors [4]. The different histologic types of germ cell tumors may occur singly or in various combinations. Elevated AFP levels have been observed in patients diagnosed as having seminomatous testicular cancer with nonseminomatous elements, but not in patients with pure seminoma [5-10].
Both AFP and hCG are measured in testicular cancer. Approximately 40% of patients with nonseminomatous germ stem cell tumors have elevation of only one marker [11]. During the clinical course of the disease, the levels of the two markers do not always parallel each other. A direct relationship has been observed between the incidence of elevated AFP levels in nonseminomatous testicular cancer, and the stage of the disease [5-7]. Elevation of AFP (> 10 IU/L or 12.1 ng/mL) occurs in 80% of metastatic and in 57% of stage 1 nonseminomatous germ cell tumors [11]. In Clinical Stage 2B or higher, AFP and/or hCG are elevated in 65-80% of the cases with increasing frequency according to the bulk of the disease [13].
The usefullness of AFP measurements in the management of nonseminomatous testicular cancer patients undergoing cancer therapy has been well established [5, 7, 14]. Current management of testicular germ cell tumors relies upon the use of serum turnor markers which can indicate the presence of small foci of active tumor that cannot be detected by currently available imaging techniques [11]. Serum markers augment and complement information obtained from radiographic and other staging procedures [15]. Also, the short half-lives of tumor markers facilitate their use in assessing turnor burden during therapy. AFP has a serum half-life of 3.5 - 6 days [16]. AFP and/or hCG levels are elevated before orchiectomy in about 60% of all Clinical Stage I patients but follow a normal decline after the testicle is removed [13].
For patients in clinical remission following treatment, AFP levels generally decrease [7]. Postoperative AFP Jevels which fail to return to normal strongly suggest the presence of residual tumor [5, 7, 17]. Following successful resection of primary or metastatic disease, AFP and hCG decline at a rate proportional to their respective half-lives [16]. An elevated actual halflife of serum markers following orchiectomy or retroperitoneal lymph node dissection may indicate the presence of occult, persistent disease [15].
As recently as the 1970s, nonseminomatous germ cell tumors were often fatal. Due to advances in chemotherapy, most patients are cured, even those with disseminated disease [3]. The clinical use of AFP and hCG measurements has been essential to this success. Many patients have a marker surge during the first week of chemotherapy, presumably secondary to tumor lysis. AFP may increase from 20% to 200% over pretreatment levels [15]. Chemotherapeutic responses are acompanied by a decline in marker levels. Persistent marker elevation is usually the result of residual malignancy. Rising marker values may occur before or after clinical recurrence and one marker may rise in discordance with the other [16].
Tumor recurrence is often accompanied by a rise in serum AFP values prior to clinical evidence of progressive disease [5-6].
Elevated serum levels of AFP are also associated with some non-testicular cancers. Increased serum concentrations of AFP were first observed in human subjects with primary heptocellular carcinoma [12]. Subsequently, elevated serum AFP values have been associated with other malignant diseases such as teratocarcinoma (with volk sac components) of the ovary, endodermal sinus tumors, certain gastrointestinal tumors (with and without liver metastasis), and tumors of other tissues [13-14, 17-21]. A study performed at the National Institutes of Health and the Mayo Clinic demonstrated elevated AFP values in patients with pancreatic, gastric, colon, and lung cancer [15]. In additional studies, AFP was elevated in 60-80% of patients with hepatocellular cancer, in 23% of
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patients with gastrointestinal cancer and in 10% of patients with liver metastasis from various tumor types [13]. However, a normalization of markers may not mean that all viable tumor has been eliminated [15].
Notably however, elevated serum AFP concentrations have also been reported in patients with noncancerous diseases such as ataxia telangiectasia, heredity tyrosinemia, neonatal hyperbilirubinemia, acute viral hepatitis, chronic active hepatitis, cirrhosis, and other benign hepatic conditions [15, 17, 24-29]. AFP is modestly elevated (up to 100 ng/mL) in 20% of patients with non-malignant liver disease [13 Due to its lack of specificity for malignant conditions. AFP testing is not recommended as a screening procedure to detect cancer in the general population.
The absorbance measured is directly proportional to the concentration of AFP present. A set of AFP Standards is used to plot a standard curve of absorbance versus AFP concentration from which the AFP concentrations in the unknowns can be calculated.
## SUMMARY OF SUBSTANTIAL EQUIVALENCE STUDY
The DSL ACTIVE™ AFP ELISA is substantially equivalent to the Abbott IMx AFP Immunoassay.
In order to demonstrate substantial equivalence between the two assays, male human serum samples (n = 73) were collected and assayed using both methods. Samples were chosen based on expected AFP levels so that samples with low, intermediate and high levels would be evaluated. Linear regression analysis of the results obtained for the comparison gave the equation Y = 1.0(X) + 5.8 with a correlation coefficient of (r) = 0.99.
### CHARACTERIZATION OF ANTIBODY
The detection and the coating antibody are highly specific for human AFP and do not cross react with human albumin. The affinity constant ranges from 3 - 4 x 100 L/mol.
### SUMMARY OF NONCLINICAL STUDIES
### PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS
All performance characteristics are stated in ng/mL. To convert to nmol/L:
ng/mL x 0.068 = nmol/L
- l. Sensitivity
The theoretical sensitivity, or minimum detection limit, calculated by the interpolation of the mean plus two standard deviations of 22 replicates of the Ong/mL AFP Standard, is 0.7 ng/mL.
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### II. Precision
The intra-assay precision was determined from the mean of 14 replicates each with three male human serum samples. The following results were obtained:
| Sample | Mean (ng/ml) | Standard Deviation<br>(ng/ml) | Coefficient of<br>Variation (%) |
|--------|--------------|-------------------------------|---------------------------------|
| I | 49.3 | 3.4 | 6.9 |
| II | 163.9 | 6.6 | 4.0 |
| III | 260.8 | 12.8 | 4.9 |
The inter-assay precision was determined from the mean of 4 replicates each in 2 separate runs each day for 20 days with three human serum samples. The following results were obtained:
| Sample | Mean (ng/ml) | Standard Deviation<br>(ng/ml) | Coefficient of<br>Variation (%) |
|--------|--------------|-------------------------------|---------------------------------|
| I | 16.7 | 1.8 | 10.7 |
| II | 99.5 | 7.6 | 7.6 |
| III | 290.5 | 12.8 | 5.6 |
### III. Recovery
Three male human serum samples containing different levels of endogenous AFP were spiked with known amounts of AFP and assayed. The following results were obtained:
| Sample | Engogenous<br>(ng/ml) | Added<br>(ng/ml) | Expected<br>(ng/ml) | Observed<br>(ng/ml) | Recovery (%) |
|--------|-----------------------|------------------|---------------------|---------------------|--------------|
| I | 0 | 25.0 | 25.0 | 28.3 | 113 |
| | | 200.0 | 200.0 | 193.4 | 97 |
| | | 300.0 | 300.0 | 327.4 | 109 |
| II | 14.3 | 10.0 | 24.3 | 28.3 | 116 |
| | | 200.0 | 214.3 | 202.1 | 94 |
| | | 300.0 | 314.3 | 361.8 | 115 |
| III | 23.2 | 50.0 | 73.2 | 79.9 | 109 |
| | | 200.0 | 223.2 | 217.1 | 97 |
| | | 300.0 | 323.2 | 367.7 | 114 |
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### IV. Linearity
:
. .
| Sample | Dilution<br>Factor | Expected<br>(ng/ml) | Observed<br>(ng/ml) | Recovery (%) |
|--------|--------------------|---------------------|---------------------|--------------|
| I | --- | --- | 47.9 | --- |
| | 1:2 | 24.0 | 21.5 | 90 |
| | 1:4 | 12.0 | 10.1 | 84 |
| | 1:8 | 6.0 | 4.4 | 73 |
| II | --- | --- | 229.5 | --- |
| | 1:2 | 114.8 | 114.8 | 100 |
| | 1:4 | 57.4 | 59.4 | 103 |
| | 1:8 | 28.7 | 29.3 | 102 |
| | 1:16 | 14.3 | 14.9 | 104 |
| | 1:32 | 7.2 | 7.5 | 104 |
| III | --- | --- | 368.9 | --- |
| | 1:2 | 184.4 | 210.8 | 114 |
| | 1:4 | 92.2 | 96.9 | 105 |
| | 1:8 | 46.1 | 46.2 | 100 |
| | 1:16 | 23.1 | 22.1 | 96 |
| | 1:32 | 11.5 | 10.3 | 90 |
Three male human serum samples were diluted with the 0 ng/mL AFP Standard and assayed. The Following results were obtained:
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### V. Specificity
The following substances did not interfere with the measurement of AFP in the DSL-10-8400 ACTIVETM AFP ELISA.
| Non-interfering Compounds | Added Concentration |
|---------------------------|---------------------|
| Prolactin | 1000 µg/L |
| HLH | 10,000 µg/L |
| HTSH | 100 mIU/L |
| HCG | 10,000 IU/L |
| Aminophylline | 100 µg/ml |
| Atropine | 100 µg/ml |
| Furosemide | 100 µg/ml |
| Theobromine | 100 µg/ml |
| Diethylsibesterol | 100 µg/ml |
| Megesterol Acetate | 100 µg/ml |
| 4-Acetamidophenol | 100 µg/ml |
| Acetylsalcylic Acid | 100 µg/ml |
| Ascorbic Acid | 100 µg/ml |
| Caffeine | 100 µg/ml |
| Ibuprofen | 100 µg/ml |
| Amethopterine | 100 µg/ml |
# SUMMARY OF CLINICAL STUDIES
To demonstrate that the DSL 10-8400 Active AFP ELISA is safe and effect as an aid in nonseminomatous testicular cancer patient management, the following clinical studies were performed.
### 1. EXPECTED VALUES
Each laboratory should establish its own range of expected AFP values. In a study conducted with apparantly normal healthy adults, using the DSL AFP ELISA, the following values were observed:
| Population | N | 0 - 10<br>ng/mL | 10 - 20<br>ng/mL | 20 - 500<br>ng/mL |
|------------|-----|-----------------|------------------|-------------------|
| Males | 199 | 195 | 4 | 0 |
| Females | 72 | 69 | 1 | 2 |
In this study 97.4% of healthy individuals had AFP values less than 10 ng/mL; 98.0% of the healthy males had AFP values less than 10 ng/mL.
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### LONGITUDINAL STUDY OF NONSEMINOMATOUS TESTICULAR CANCER ll. PATIENTS
Three patients with diagnosed nonseminomatous testicular cancer were serially monitored over the course of their treatment. The DSL ACTIVE™ AFP ELISA was used to measure the AFP levels of these patients' serum samples.
Patient number one had a relapse of nonseminomatous testicular cancer, which did not respond to chemotherapy treatment. His serum AFP levels rose steadily, except for a small decrease at six months, to an eventual AFP concentration over 450 ng/ml (AFP) (Table 1, Graph 1).
Patient number two responded to chemotherapy treatment. His serum AFP levels were stable, with no clinical evidence of nonseminomatous testicular cancer, 18 months post treatment (Table 1, Graph 1).
Patient number three also responded to chemotherapy treatment. His serum AFP levels decreased steadily during treatment (Table 1, Graph 1).
Additionally, the serum AFP levels of fifteen male patients with nonseminomatous testicular cancer were determined using the DSL Active AFP ELISA. The results following results were obtained:
| Population | N | 0 - 8.9<br>ng/ml | > 8.9 - 100<br>ng/ml | > 100 -<br>400 ng/ml | > 400 ng/ml |
|------------|----|------------------|----------------------|----------------------|-------------|
| Males | 15 | 33.3% | 46.7% | 6.7% | 13.3% |
# CONCLUSION OF CLINICAL AND NONCLINICAL STUDIES
The DSL Active™ AFP ELISA is a safe and effective assay to aid in the management of patients with nonseminomatous testicular cancer. The clinical, nonclinical and method comparison studies support this conclusion.
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### REFERENCES
- 1. Seppälä M: Fetal pathophysiology of human -fetoprotein. Ann NY Sci 259:59-73, 1975
- Testicular Cancer Markers. in Human Cancer Markers. Sell S and Wahren 3. Lange PH. B 9ed.) Vlifton, Humana, 259-273, 1985.
- 4. Small EJ, Torti FM. Testes. in Clinical Oncology. New York, Churchill livingstone. 1493-1526, 1995.
- 5. Kohn J. Orr AH. McElwain TJ, et al. Serum Alpha-Fetoprotein in Patients with Testicular Tumours. Lancet 2: 433-436, 1976.
- 6. Scardino PT, Cox HD, Waldmann TA, et al. The Value of serum Tumor Markers in the Staging and Prognosis of Germ Cell Tumors of the Testis. J. Urol. 118: 994, 1977.
- 7. Lange PH, McIntire KR, Waldmann TA, et al. Serum Alpha-Fetoprotein and Human Chorionic Gonadotropin in the Diagnosis and Management of Nonseminomatous Germ Cell Testicular Cancer. Medical Intelligence 295: 1237, 1976.
- 8. Javadpour N. McIntire KR. Waldmann TA. Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) and Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP in Sera and Tumor Cells of Patients with Testicular Seminoma, A Prospective Studt. Cancer 42: 2768-2772, 1978.
- 9. Lange PH, Nochomovitz LE, Rosai J, et al. Serum Alpha-Fetoprotein and Human Chorionic Gonadotropin in Patients with Seminoma. J. Urol. 124: 472-478, 1980.
- 10.Jacobsen GK. Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP) and Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) in Testicular Germ Cell Tumors. Acta Path Microbiol Immunol Scand 91: 183-190, 1983.
- 11. Doherty AP, Bower M, Christmas TJ. The Role of Tumour Markers in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Testicular Germ Cell Cancers. Brit J Urol 79: 247-252, 1997.
- 12. Tatarinov YS. Finding of an Embryonic Alpha Globulin in the Blood Stream in a Patient with Primary Hepatic Cancer. Vopr Med Khim 10: 90, 1964.
- 13. Klepp O. Serum Tumour Markers in Testicular and Extragonadal Germ Cell Malignancies. Scand J Clin Lab Invest Suppl. 51: 28-41, 1991.
- 14. Perlin E, Engeler JE, Edson M, et al. The Value of Serial Measurement of Both Human Chorionic Gonadotropin and Alpha-Fetoprotein for Monitoring Germinal Cell Tumors. Cancer 37: 215-219, 1976.
- 15. Bartlett NL. Freiha FF, Torti FM. Serum markers in Germ Cell Neoplasma. Hem/Onc Clinics of N.A. 5: 1245-1260, 1991.
- 16.Jacobs EL, Haskell CM. Clinical Use of tumor Markers in Oncology. in Current Problems in Cancer. Littleton, Mosby-Year Book. 299-359, 1991.
- 17. Waldmann TA, McIntire KR. The Use of a Radioimmunoassay for Alpha-Fetoprotein in the Diagnosis of Malignancy. Cancer 34: 1510-1515, 1974.
- 18. Silver HKB, Gold P, Feder S, et al. Radioimmunoassay for Human Alpha-Fetoprotein. Proc Nat Acad Sci USA 70: 526-530, 1973.
- 19. Abelev Gl. Alpha-Fetoprotein in Ontogenesis and Its Association With Malignant Tumors. Adv Cancer Res 14: 295, 1971.
- 20.Maeyama M. Tayama C, Inoue S, et al. Serial Serum Determination on Alpha-Fetoprotein as a Marker of the Effect of postoperative Chemotherapy in Ovarian Endodermal Sinus Tumor. Gynecol Oncol 17: 104-116, 1984.
- 21. Yasunami R, Hashimoto Z, Ogura T, et al. Primary Lung Cancer Producing Alpha-Fetoprotein: A Case Report. Cancer 47: 926-929, 1981.
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- 22.D'Costa M, Feld R, Laxdal V., et al. A Multicenter Evaluation of the Boehringer Mannheim ES 300 Immunoassay System. Clin Biochem 26: 51-57, 1993.
- 23. Cattini R. Cooksev M. Robinson D. et al. Measurement of Alpha-Fetoprotein. Carcinoembryonic Antigen and Prostate-Specific Antigen in Serum and Heparinised Plasma by Enzyme Immunoasay of the Fully Automated Serono SR11™ Analyzer. Eur J Clin Chem Clin Biochem 31: 517-524, 1993.
- 24. Websic HT. Alpha-Fetoprotein: Its Quantitation and Relationship to Meoplastic Disease. in Alpha-Fetoprotein, Laboratory Procedures and Clinical Applications.
- 25. Chen DS, Sung JL. Relationship of Hepatitis B Surface Antigen to Serum Alpha-Fetoprotein in No-Malignant Diseases of the Liver. Cancer 44: 984-992, 1979.
- 26. Waldmann TA, Mclntire KR. Serum Alpha-Fetoprotein Levels In Patients with Ataxia Telangiectasia. Lancet 2: 1112-1115, 1972.
- 27. Belanger L. Tyrosinemie Hereditaire et Alpha-Foetoproteine II. Recherche Tissulaire Comparee de L'Alpha-Foetofroteine dans Deux Cas dr Tyrosinemie Hereditaire. Considerations sur L'Ontogense de la Foetoproteine Humaine. Path Biol 21: 457-462, 1973.
- 28. Kew MC, Purves LR, Bersohn I. Serum Alpha-Fetoptotein Levels in Acute Viral Hepatitis. Gut 14: 939-942, 1973.
- 29.Endo Y, Kanai K, Oda T, et al. Clinical Significance of Alpha-Fetoprotein in Hepatitis and Liver Cirrhosis. Ann NY Acad Sci 259: 234-238, 1975.
- 30. Purves LR, Purves M. Serum Alpha-Fetoprotein. VI. The Radioimmunoassay Evidence for the Presence of AFP in the Serum of Normal People and During Pregnancy. S Afr Med J 46: 1290, 1972.
- 33. Primus FJ, et al. "Sandwich" -type immunoassay of carcinoembryonic antigen in patients receiving murine antibody for diagnosis and theapy. Clin Chem 34: 261, 1988.
- 34. Hansen HJ, et al. Solving the problem of antibody interference in commercial "sandwich"type immunoassay of carcinoembryonic antigen. Clin Chem 35: 146, 1989.
- 35. Schroff RJ, et al. Human anti-murine immunoglobulin responses in patients receiving monoclonal antibody therapy. Cancer Res 45: 879, 1985.
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Image /page/9/Picture/9 description: The image shows a black and white logo. The logo appears to be the symbol for the Department of Health and Human Services. The symbol is a stylized image of three human profiles facing to the right. The word "DEPARTMENT" is partially visible on the left side of the image.
JUN 21 1999
Food and Drug Administration 2098 Gaither Road Rockville MD 20850
Mr. John G. Class Manager of Regulatory Affairs Diagnostic Systems Laboratories, Inc. 445 Medical Center Boulevard Webster, Texas 77598
> K990138 Trade Name: DSL 10-8400 ACTIVE™ AFP ELISA Kit Regulatory Class: II Product Code: LOJ Dated: April 20, 1999 Received: April 21, 1999
Dear Mr. Class:
Re:
We have reviewed your Section 510(k) notification of intent to market the device referenced above and we have determined the device is substantially equivalent (for the indications for use stated in the enclosure) to legally marketed predicate devices marketed in interstate commerce prior to May 28, 1976, the enactment date of the Medical Device Amendments, or to devices that have been reclassified in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (Act). You may, therefore, market the device, subject to the general controls provisions of the Act. The general controls provisions of the Act include requirements for annual registration, listing of devices, good manufacturing practice, labeling, and prohibitions against misbranding and adulteration.
If your device is classified (see above) into either class II (Special Controls) or class III (Premarket Approval), it may be subject to such additional controls. Existing major regulations affecting your device can be found in the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 21, Parts 800 to 895. A substantially equivalent determination assumes compliance with the Current Good Manufacturing Practice requirements, as set forth in the Quality System Regulation (QS) for Medical Devices: General regulation (21 CFR Part 820) and that, through periodic QS inspections, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will verify such assumptions. Failure to comply with the GMP regulation may result in regulatory action. In addition, FDA may publish further announcements concerning your device in the Federal Register. Please note: this response to your premarket notification submission does not affect any obligation you might have under sections 531 through 542 of the Act for devices under the Electronic Product Radiation Control provisions, or other Federal laws or regulations.
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Page 2
Under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA-88), this device may require a CLIA complexity categorization. To determine if it does, you should contact the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at (770) 488-7655.
This letter will allow you to begin marketing your device as described in your 510(k) premarket notification. The FDA finding of substantial equivalence of your device to a legally marketed predicate device results in a classification for your device and thus, permits your device to proceed to the market.
If you desire specific advice for your device on our labeling regulation (21 CFR Part 801 and additionally 809.10 for in vitro diagnostic devices), please contact the Office of Compliance at (301) 594-4588. Additionally, for questions on the promotion and advertising of your device, please contact the Office of Compliance at (301) 594-4639. Also, please note the regulation entitled. "Misbranding by reference to premarket notification"(21 CFR 807.97). Other general information on your responsibilities under the Act may be obtained from the Division of Small Manufacturers Assistance at its toll-free number (800) 638-2041 or (301) 443-6597, or at its internet address "http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/dsma/dsmamain.html".
Sincerely yours,
Steven Sutman
Steven I. Gutman, M.D. M.B.A. Director Division of Clinical Laboratory Devices Office of Device Evaluation Center for Devices and Radiological Health
Enclosure
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K990138 510(k) Number (if known):
Device Name: ACTIVE™ AFP ELISA
Indications For Use:
The DSL 10-8400 AFP ELISA assay is intended for the quantitative determination of AFP in human serum. It is intended for in vitro diagnostic use to aid in the management of patients with nonseminomatous testicular cancer.
(PLEASE DO NOT WRITE BELOW THIS LINE. CONTINUE ON ANOTHER PAGE IF NEEDED)
Concurrence of CDRH, Office of Device Evaluation (ODE)
(Division Sign-Off)
Division of Clinical Laboratory Devices k990138
510(k) Number
Prescription Use V (Per 21 CFR 801.109)
OR
Over-The-Counter Use
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4. Device detail page: chat and citations
Click a device name to open its detail page: device facts on the left, a chat window on the right. Ask something like "Describe the training data". The answer carries little citation bubbles — click one to jump to the highlighted passage in the source PDF, so you can verify every AI answer against the document. There's also a Download PDF button for sharing.
How do you verify an AI chat answer on the device detail page?
Click the citation bubbles to jump to the relevant highlight in the source document.
Reading rule for every project: how many summaries do you read in full?
At least the three most relevant 510(k) or De Novo summaries, in full. After that, use targeted chat questions to confirm your memory quickly. The tool supports this professional habit — it doesn't replace it.
5. Side-by-side comparison
Select multiple rows in the results table (aim for under ~10), then open the PDF Viewer tab. Ask one question — it goes to all selected devices in parallel, each with citations. This is the fastest way to compare and contrast devices: training data, PCCP scope, how they handled adding new scanners, and so on.
What does the side-by-side PDF viewer mode do?
Select multiple devices, open the PDF viewer tab, and ask one question (e.g., "Describe the training data"). It queries all selected devices simultaneously with citations, so you can compare and contrast quickly.
6. Collections
With rows selected, go to the Collections tab and create a labeled collection (e.g., "Cobb Angle Project"). Reload that selection any time — before a client call, pull up the collection and ask questions across all of its devices at once.
How do you save a set of selected devices for later use?
Select the rows, go to the Collections tab, and create a labeled collection (e.g., "Cobb Angle Project"). You can reload the selection anytime and carry it into the PDF viewer and other tabs that support selections.
7. Product codes and the regulations tree
Click a product code in the results to jump to it in the regulations tree — identification text, sibling product codes, and devices you can open in a PDF viewer on the right. Click a regulation number to see its identification, special controls, and related product codes. You can also search by product code or regulation number at the top of the tree. Always read the special controls if any exist for your device — it broadens your search and sharpens pre-kickoff research.
What can you do from the regulations tree view?
Browse product codes and regulation numbers, read the identification text and special controls, browse sibling product codes, open device PDFs on the right, and search by product code or regulation number at the top of the tree.
8. Chart view
Click Show Chart and segment by regulation number (or product code) to see which regulations dominate your result set. Clicking a regulation takes you into the regulations tree. Great for spotting that most matches are, say, hardware laparoscopic devices — a cue to go back and filter.
How do you see which regulations dominate a search result set?
Click "Show Chart" and segment by Regulation Number. Clicking a regulation takes you to the regulations tree.
9. The predicate graph
Open the Predicates tab for a family-tree view of predicate relationships. Click a node to trace its parents and children; selections from search carry over pre-selected. Commonly predicated devices are worth reading — a lot of people predicated them for a reason. The visual lineage is also handy on client calls, e.g. to show how a predicate family evolved and justify why your predicate still holds.
In the predicate graph, why are commonly predicated devices worth reading?
A lot of people predicated them for a reason. Clicking a node traces parents and children, and selections from search carry over pre-selected.
10. Embeddings: the galaxy map
The Embeddings tab plots every matching document in a 2-D "galaxy map" where semantically similar devices cluster together. Hover or click clusters to explore, and let AI label the clusters for you. Embeddings beat product codes for grouping: two devices can carry different product codes (LLZ vs. QIH) yet do the same thing — the embedding captures the meaning of the intended use and device story. This is also exactly how retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) works under the hood, and it makes a great visual on client calls.
Try it yourself
Head to the search page and work through a few of these AI/ML fuzzy searches to build intuition: perivascular fat on CT · aortic valve calcification opportunistic screening on noncontrast CT · breast cancer prediction on digital pathology slides · autism detection · gestational age prediction · a hearing aid that can also detect a pulse · foundation model based analysis of ECG · large language models · penetration test. Watch how the relevance scores, intended use, and AI Performance tables tell you when results stop being meaningful.