Breath Test for Lung Cancer Patients

A breathanalyzer that checks the chemical signature in a patients' exhaled breath could soon be used to detect lung cancer.

Michael Bousamra, MD and researchers from the University of Louisville used silicone microprocessor and mass spectrometer to look for certain volatile organic compounds (VOCs; aldehydes and ketones that are called carbonyls). The tests were conducted on people suspected to have lung cancer.

Researchers then matched their study findings with clinical studies.

"Although the data are preliminary, we found that patients with an elevation of three or four cancer-specific carbonyl compounds was predictive of lung cancer in 95% of patients with a pulmonary nodule or mass," said Michael Bousamra, MD, the University of Louisville. "Conversely, the absence of elevated VOC levels was predictive of a benign mass in 80% of patients."

In the study, researchers were looking for aldehydes and ketones, which are organic compounds produced by the body in small amounts.

"The novelty of this approach includes the simplicity of sample collection and ease for the patient," said Dr. Bousamra in a news release.

The silicone microprocessor used in the study had a coat of amino-oxy compound, which attaches to the carbonyl compounds in the breath. The University of Louisville designed the microprocessor.

Many researchers are trying to develop breathanalyzers for cancers as a breath-test is a lot less invasive than the diagnostic methods. Also, a quick test that checks the levels of compounds in breath could catch the cancer at an early stage.

A related test was recently developed by Cleveland Clinic, and colleagues. This test also checked for volatile organic compounds to detect lung cancer and sort the tumor by its subtypes.

Researchers from Israel had earlier reported developing a breathanalyzer that could help diagnose stomach cancer. Currently, stomach cancer is detected using a method called endoscopy, which involves a tube that is pushed down the throat and into the stomach.

The study was presented at the 50th Annual Meeting of The Society of Thoracic Surgeons.

Other researchers are trying to develop breathanalyzers that could monitor glucose levels in diabetics by checking levels of acetone in the patients' breath.