Breakthrough Research: Detecting Signs of Lung Cancer Through Breath

A device developed by Zhejiang University (China) correctly identified people with lung cancer in a recent test.

In a study recently published in the scientific journal ACS Sensors, a team of authors led by Zhejiang University said they have developed a device that can search for traces of lung cancer in breath.

Lung cancer is the leading cancer in terms of both cases and deaths - (Illustration by AI: ANH THU).

A small-scale trial was conducted on 13 people, including 5 lung cancer patients and 8 healthy people.

The team's prototype device accurately identified people who were sick.

According to the research team, the technology they developed can look for isoprene compounds in breath.

It is an organic compound that the human and other animal bodies can produce. Lower than normal levels of isoprene have been identified as a potential indicator of lung cancer , but it is a small change and very difficult to measure.

The new highly sensitive instrument does just that, thanks to a streamlined design based on advanced gas sensing materials.

To achieve the sensitivity needed in the breathalyzer, the researchers used nanoflake particles made from a combination of platinum, indium, nickel, and oxygen.

When isoprene touches the nanoflake particles, electron release is triggered in a measurable manner.

Previous laboratory studies have also achieved promising results.

The authors say this would be a breakthrough in low-cost, accessible and non-invasive cancer screening.

However, they still have a long way to go. The next steps in the research will include refining the technology as well as conducting larger-scale clinical trials.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths and morbidity in the world, according to a report by the World Health Organization (WHO) released earlier this year.

This is also one of the types of cancer that is often detected at a late stage, when treatments have become less effective.

Therefore, accessible screening measures that help detect the disease at early stages are very important in the fight against lung cancer.