Cutting-Edge Sensor Technology Can Identify Lung Cancer Rhrough Your Breath

Scientists have developed an ultra-sensitive nanoscale sensor capable of detecting lung cancer by analyzing the levels of a chemical called isoprene in exhaled breath. This breakthrough may lead to a non-invasive, affordable way to catch the disease at an early stage, potentially saving numerous lives.

Isoprene is released during the body’s process of breaking down fat, known as lipolytic cholesterol metabolism. Interestingly, a decrease in isoprene levels can signal lung cancer. Leveraging this insight, researchers at China’s Zhejiang University created an innovative gas-sensing material to enable a new screening technique.

Detecting biomarkers in breath presents challenges, such as distinguishing between volatile chemicals, withstanding natural humidity in breath, and measuring minuscule amounts of specific compounds. In the case of isoprene, sensors must detect concentrations as low as parts-per-billion (ppb).

The researchers refined indium oxide-based nanoflake sensors to meet these demands, ultimately developing a sensor material called Pt@InNiOx, made from platinum (Pt), indium (In), and nickel (Ni). This material demonstrated extreme sensitivity, detecting isoprene levels as low as 2 ppb and showing selective response to isoprene over other compounds in human breath.

Portable Device Testing

Tests incorporated the Pt@InNiOx nanoflakes into a portable device used with breath samples from 13 participants, including five with lung cancer. The device detected isoprene concentrations below 40 ppb in samples from those with cancer, while readings from cancer-free participants exceeded 60 ppb.

Such advancements could make lung cancer detection easier, cheaper, and available earlier than current methods, which are often used only when symptoms arise. According to the World Health Organization, lung cancer took 1.8 million lives globally in 2020, and early, accessible detection could prevent many of these fatalities.

Although the study, published in ACS Sensors, involved a small group of participants, researchers see potential for scaling up. Further work is needed to refine the sensor material, expand data analysis, integrate the technology into portable devices, and investigate the link between breath isoprene levels and lung cancer more thoroughly.

This approach joins a growing field of breath-based cancer diagnostics research, including projects such as Cancer Research UK’s study started in 2019. With continued development, this method could pave the way for a reliable, breath-based diagnostic tool for lung diseases and beyond.

Read Original Article On: New Atlas

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