Researchers at Zhejiang University in China have developed a groundbreaking nanoscale sensor capable of detecting lung cancer by analyzing the levels of isoprene in a person’s breath. This innovative technology could pave the way for a non-invasive, low-cost method of early lung cancer detection, potentially saving countless lives.

Isoprene is a chemical naturally released in the breath when the body breaks down fat through a process known as lipolytic cholesterol metabolism. Studies have shown that a decline in isoprene levels may signal the presence of lung cancer. Capitalizing on this insight, the Zhejiang University team developed a highly sensitive gas-sensing material, named Pt@InNiOx, that can detect isoprene levels with remarkable precision.

The Pt@InNiOx sensor was capable of detecting isoprene at concentrations as low as two parts per billion (ppb), outperforming other compounds typically found in human breath. Moreover, it consistently responded more strongly to isoprene, demonstrating its ability to selectively detect the chemical despite the presence of other substances.

In their tests, the researchers integrated the Pt@InNiOx nanoflakes into a portable device designed for breath sampling. The device was used to analyze breath samples from 13 participants, including five who had lung cancer. The results were striking: the device detected isoprene levels lower than 40 ppb in the breath samples of participants with cancer, while cancer-free participants had isoprene levels above 60 ppb. These findings suggest that measuring isoprene levels could become a viable screening method for detecting lung cancer at earlier stages.

This breakthrough offers the promise of a simpler, more affordable alternative to traditional lung cancer diagnostic methods, which often require expensive imaging tests or are typically only used after patients exhibit symptoms. Early detection is crucial, as lung cancer is one of the deadliest cancers worldwide. The World Health Organization reported that lung cancer claimed 1.8 million lives in 2020, and methods like this could help identify the disease before it advances, significantly improving survival rates.

However, the research is still in its early stages. The study, published in the journal ACS Sensors, involved a small sample size, and the team acknowledges that further work is needed before this technology can be commercially implemented. Future efforts will focus on refining the sensing materials, expanding the test group, analyzing more data, and integrating the technology into fully functional portable devices. Additionally, the team plans to explore the complex relationship between breath isoprene levels and lung cancer in more detail.

Breath-based cancer diagnostics have been a subject of research for several years, with projects like Cancer Research UK’s 2019 study also exploring this area. While these projects have yet to yield conclusive results, this new development from Zhejiang University could serve as a significant milestone in the quest for non-invasive cancer screening. If successful, it may open the door to more research in the field and, ultimately, to faster, more accessible lung cancer diagnoses.

As researchers continue to refine and test this promising new technology, there is hope that one day a simple breath test could be used to detect lung cancer early, offering patients a better chance at survival and a less invasive alternative to current diagnostic methods.

By Impact Lab