Soon you will be able know if have lung cancer or not just by exhaling. Scientists have developed a small-scale test using a prototype device with ultra-sensitive monitors and it has demonstrated it can accurately detect the difference between eight healthy individuals and five people with lung cancer.
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths across the world, accounting for the highest mortality rates among both men and women. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), lung cancer is often diagnosed at advanced stages when treatment options are limited.
The device is created by a team led by researchers from Zhejiang University in China. According to a report by Science Alert, the device looks for the compound isoprene.
The scientists maintain that lower isoprene levels have been identified as a potential indicator of lung cancer, however, it’s a small shift that’s very difficult to measure.
“Our work not only provides a breakthrough in low-cost, non-invasive cancer screening through breath analysis but also advances the rational design of cutting-edge gas sensing materials,” write the researchers in their published paper as quoted by Science Alert.
The scientists used nanoflakes made from a combination of platinum, indium, nickel, and oxygen to achieve the required sensitivity in their breath monitor. When the isoprene hits the nanoflakes, electron release is sparked in a way that can be measured.
The researchers highlighted that in lab tests the nanoflakes were shown to be able to identify isoprene specifically among other chemicals. Moreover, these nanoflakes can also operate in conditions with higher humidity, which is essential for a breath monitor. However, even the researchers admit there’s still a long way to go.
“Targeting the substantial market of lung cancer diagnosis, future commercialization of the technology requires continuous research on the sensing materials, the accurate relationship between breath isoprene and lung cancer, data analysis algorithms, and integration techniques with portable devices,” write the researchers, as quoted by Science Alert.
It is noteworthy that damage done by lung cancer affects some of the body’s key metabolic processes. Scientists believe that changes are somehow affecting isoprene in a way that can reveal the presence of the disease.
“Continuous research on the relationship between breath isoprene levels and lung cancer, as well as on the various influencing factors (e.g., age, health status), can help refine and further commercialize the technology,” write the researchers.
The findings of the research were published in ACS Sensors.