A team of researchers from Zhejiang University in China has created a prototype device that can accurately detect lung cancer by analysing breath samples. The device identifies levels of isoprenes, an organic compound, which has been linked as a potential indicator of lung cancer. In the study, five people with lung cancer had isoprenes levels lower than 40 ppb in their breath, whereas a healthy group of eight people had levels over 60 ppb.
This is a significant breakthrough in creating an affordable, non-invasive screening for lung cancer. The researchers utilized a combination of platinum, indium, nickel, and oxygen to create nanoparticle flakes. When isoprene hits these nanoparticle flakes, it releases electrons, a process that can be measured. The device could detect isoprene levels of as low as 2 ppb, showing a substantial improvement over existing technologies.
Lung Cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide, with smoking being the prime cause and nearly 1.8 million fatalities reported in 2020. Early detection significantly improves the chances of effectively treating lung cancer, thus making research of this type especially crucial.
However, for the future commercialization of this technology, continued research in sensory materials, the precise relationship between breath isoprene and lung cancer, data analytics algorithms, and integration techniques with portable devices are required, said the researchers.
