CHINA, Nov 13: Ultra-sensitive monitors may soon be able to detect lung cancer through a person's breath. A small-scale test using a prototype device has shown it can accurately distinguish between eight healthy individuals and five people with lung cancer.

The device, developed by a team led by researchers from Zhejiang University in China, identifies the compound isoprene. Lower levels of isoprene have been linked to lung cancer, but this shift is subtle and challenging to detect. With the new technology, researchers have demonstrated a proof-of-concept that could one day offer a simple, affordable, and non-invasive method to screen for lung cancer.

The researchers stated in their published paper, "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."

To achieve the necessary sensitivity, the team used nanoflakes made from a combination of platinum, indium, nickel, and oxygen. When isoprene interacts with the nanoflakes, it triggers the release of electrons, which can be measured. The result is a sensor capable of detecting isoprene levels as low as 2 parts per billion (ppb), a significant improvement over current technology. Among the 13 people tested, the five with lung cancer had isoprene levels below 40 ppb, while the eight healthy individuals had levels over 60 ppb.

The nanoflakes proved to be effective in identifying isoprene among other chemicals, and they functioned well under high humidity, an essential factor for a breath monitor. However, the researchers acknowledge that there is still much work to be done.

"To target the large market of lung cancer diagnosis, future commercialization of the technology will require further research on the sensing materials, a deeper understanding of the relationship between isoprene and lung cancer, improved data analysis algorithms, and integration with portable devices," the team wrote.

Lung cancer, the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide—largely due to smoking—was responsible for approximately 1.8 million deaths in 2020. Because it is often detected at later stages, when treatments are less effective, early detection is crucial. The researchers emphasize the importance of continued study on the connection between isoprene levels and lung cancer, as well as the factors that may influence these levels, such as age and overall health. This research could help refine and further develop the technology for widespread use.