Work

A novel approach to non-invasive lung cancer screening via exhaled breath analysis using proton transfer reaction time-of-flight mass spectrometry

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Lung cancer (LC) remains a global public health problem. To minimize late diagnosis, new detection techniques are needed. The analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in human breath (the volatilome) represents a non-invasive alternative to current methods for the early detection of LC. In this study, VOCs were determined in the breath of individuals with LC ( N = 22) and without LC (non-LC, N = 21) using proton transfer reaction time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis were conducted on a subset of 54 VOC ions (out of 180). Twenty-one of the 54 VOC ions were detected in exhaled breath. CH 4 O 3 H + and C 8 H 7 NH + were found only in participants without cancer. Among the 19 common ions present in both cohorts, the intensities of 8 ions were statistically different. The LC/non-LC ratios were observed for C 4 H 8 O 2 H + , followed by C 3 H 4 OH + , C 2 H 2 OH + , C 2 H 3 ONH + , C 3 H 4 H + , C 3 H 2 H + , C 4 H 8 H + , and C 6 H 8 H + . Spearman correlation analysis could be used to differentiate metabolic processes or pathways between cohorts. Diagnostic ratio is a potential tool to classify individuals with or without LC. This study provides exploratory evidence for exhaled VOCs as potential LC biomarkers and positions them as a complement to current diagnostic pathways, with a potential role in supporting early triage and clinical decision-making.

Source: Journal of Breath Research

DOI: 10.1088/1752-7163/ae8ffc