Revolutionary Breath Test For Lung Cancer In The Works
An experimental portable device may soon be able to detect lung cancer through a person’s exhaled breath, according to recent research. The device uses advanced “nanoflake” sensors designed to identify subtle changes in the gases emitted by individuals with lung cancer.
The sensors focus on detecting slight variations in isoprene levels, a chemical found in exhaled breath. A decrease in isoprene concentration can be a sign of lung cancer, researchers found.
In a study published on November 6 in ACS Sensors, the researchers tested the breath of eight healthy individuals and compared it with that of five lung cancer patients. They observed that the exhaled isoprene levels in lung cancer patients were consistently below 40 parts per billion (ppb), while healthy participants had isoprene levels exceeding 60 ppb. This difference highlights the potential of the device as a rapid and cost-effective method for diagnosing lung cancer.
Exhaled breath contains various gases, with water vapor and carbon dioxide being the most common. The device’s sensors are made from a mixture of platinum, indium, and nickel, which allows them to detect isoprene at concentrations as low as 2 ppb—a level far more sensitive than previous sensor technologies.
The sensors showed a strong response to isoprene compared to other chemicals typically found in breath and delivered consistent results in trials. Despite these promising results, researchers note that more studies are needed to fully understand the relationship between isoprene levels and lung cancer.
Further research into the connection between isoprene and lung cancer, as well as factors like age and health status, will help refine the technology and improve its potential for widespread use.
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