Screening for certain cancers could be accelerated through a simple breath test. The technique, which seems to be effective, not always in the experimental stage but could be marketed in the coming years.
Early detection of cancer is crucial for a rapid response and a better chance of recovery. Unfortunately, early detection is often difficult because of the lack of early symptoms of the disease. For colorectal cancer, for example, the diagnosis is made by colonoscopy, an invasive procedure very uncomfortable for the patient. Regarding breast cancer, X-rays used to visualize the tumor potential does not always give a clear enough picture to detect the disease, and may even create new mutations.
New diagnostic methods are therefore very useful. Researchers at the Technion Israel Institute of Technology have developed and tested a system that seems revolutionary. The analysis of breath, noninvasive, fast, easy, cheap and reliable a priori, to diagnose cancer.
Researchers have used this for the known characteristics of cancer cells that have genetic mutations leading to modifications of certain chemical constituents of the plasma membrane (peroxides), forming volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Based on previous work, VOCs can be detected around the cancer cells but also in the breath of patients with gas exchange between blood and that contains the lungs.
Early detection of cancer is crucial for a rapid response and a better chance of recovery. Unfortunately, early detection is often difficult because of the lack of early symptoms of the disease. For colorectal cancer, for example, the diagnosis is made by colonoscopy, an invasive procedure very uncomfortable for the patient. Regarding breast cancer, X-rays used to visualize the tumor potential does not always give a clear enough picture to detect the disease, and may even create new mutations.
New diagnostic methods are therefore very useful. Researchers at the Technion Israel Institute of Technology have developed and tested a system that seems revolutionary. The analysis of breath, noninvasive, fast, easy, cheap and reliable a priori, to diagnose cancer.
Researchers have used this for the known characteristics of cancer cells that have genetic mutations leading to modifications of certain chemical constituents of the plasma membrane (peroxides), forming volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Based on previous work, VOCs can be detected around the cancer cells but also in the breath of patients with gas exchange between blood and that contains the lungs.
Graph showing the distribution according to the rate of VOC (here represented by PC1 and PC2) of patients with various cancers (LC, lung cancer, CC, colon cancer, BC, breast cancer, PC prostate cancer) or healthy individuals (healthy). The groups do
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To specifically detect VOC sensors were made from gold nanoparticles covered with organic chemical molecules, forming the reactive layer of the nanoparticle. A chip consists of 14 different sensors that can detect many types of VOCs. The breath of the patient is then placed in contact with the chip for 5 minutes and the interaction VOC-sensor changes the electrical resistance of the circuit connected. Thus the concentration of each compound can be measured. To facilitate the analysis of results, data were subjected to principal components analysis (PCA), which reduces the variables in the gathering (14 VOCs, but two variables PC1 and PC2).
This technique was tested on 177 volunteers aged 20-75 years, healthy or suffering from one of the most devastating four cancers: lung, breast, colon and prostate. The breath of patients was taken immediately after the diagnosis of the disease and before making a treatment. For each patient, two samples were harvested for analysis by the sensors and control analysis by mass spectrometry.
The results published in the journal British Journal of Cancer, show that for each type of cancer, the variables PC1 and PC2, and therefore the VOC is very different from those of healthy people. They are even different for different types of cancers. In addition, the use of persons of age and gender variables and different habits (smoking, pollution exposure, addiction to food) showed that VOCs are not specifically affected by lifestyle. These data indicate that it may be possible eventually to use the breath to both diagnose the presence of cancer and determine the type.
These results, although preliminary, are encouraging. They need to be verified and validated by the scientific and medical community before the technology is commercialized. If it passes this stage, the chip could change the habits VOC detection and faster. So these are thousands of lives could be saved.
This technique was tested on 177 volunteers aged 20-75 years, healthy or suffering from one of the most devastating four cancers: lung, breast, colon and prostate. The breath of patients was taken immediately after the diagnosis of the disease and before making a treatment. For each patient, two samples were harvested for analysis by the sensors and control analysis by mass spectrometry.
The results published in the journal British Journal of Cancer, show that for each type of cancer, the variables PC1 and PC2, and therefore the VOC is very different from those of healthy people. They are even different for different types of cancers. In addition, the use of persons of age and gender variables and different habits (smoking, pollution exposure, addiction to food) showed that VOCs are not specifically affected by lifestyle. These data indicate that it may be possible eventually to use the breath to both diagnose the presence of cancer and determine the type.
These results, although preliminary, are encouraging. They need to be verified and validated by the scientific and medical community before the technology is commercialized. If it passes this stage, the chip could change the habits VOC detection and faster. So these are thousands of lives could be saved.
The cancer test may become as common as the breathalyser test image here. Credits DR
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