In 2007 a test was developed which used chemical colour sensors to detect tiny changes in the unique chemical signature of the breath of lung cancer patients. Now scientists are developing a breath test to detect other forms of cancer.
Credit: Thorax /Mazzone, Hammel et al.
LONDON: A breath test that can detect cancer is now able to identify different types of the disease, said scientists in a recent report.
Their preliminary results, printed in the British Journal of Cancer, showed that the researchers' sensors could distinguish whether a patient had lung, breast, bowel or prostate cancer, irrespective of age, gender or lifestyle.
Previous research, conducted at the Technion Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, found that they could largely distinguish between the breath of healthy patients and cancer sufferers.
Device flags cancer before X-rays
The sensor uses gold nanoparticles to detect levels of so-called volatile organic compounds - measured in a few parts per billion - that become more elevated in cancer patients.
The device could provide an early warning system that flags the disease before tumours become visible in X-rays.
"This study shows that an 'electronic nose' can distinguish between healthy and malignant breath, and can also differentiate between the breath of patients with different cancer types," said co-author Abraham Kuten.
"If we can confirm these initial results in large-scale studies, this new technology could become a simple tool for early diagnosis of cancer along with imaging. It could also be an easy way to assess and monitor the effectiveness of cancer treatment and detect relapses earlier," he said.
Cutting death rates with early diagnoses
The study examined the breath of 177 volunteers, including healthy people and patients already diagnosed with different stages of the four types of cancer.
As a cancer grows, the surface of cells emits chemicals. The research found that sensors could be used to detect these chemicals in the breath.
The study is at a very early stage and further tests with larger samples - and people with undiagnosed cancer - will be needed to determine the strength of the link between breath and cancer detection.
"These results are interesting and show that there is the potential to develop a single breath test to detect these cancers," said Lesley Walker of the Cancer Research UK, a British charity.
"Strengthening the methods for early diagnosis of cancer as well as improved treatments will have a significant impact on cutting death rates."
