Chest X-ray Showing Cancer
In Photo: An undated x-ray image of a chest with a visible, possibly cancerous, growth on the left side. A simple breath test can sometimes detect lung cancer in patients even in the early stages of the disease, proving in principle that the idea might work, U.S. researchers reported on Sunday. REUTERS/NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE

Detection of lung cancer in its earliest stages can save more lives. With the development of non-invasive tools and breath diagnostic techniques, this is possible. The much-awaited clinical trial for the Owlstone lung-cancer breathalyser will push through later this year, 2015, at the Glenfield Hospital and will be facilitated by health specialists at the University of Leicester.

The Lung Cancer Indicator Detection (LuCID) programme aims to improve lung-cancer screening for earlier treatment and management. A £1m funding was granted by the Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) for further evaluation of the Owlstone device known as Field Asymmetric Ion Mobility Spectrometry (FAIMS). The breath test works by calculating levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or chemical markers in a patient’s breath. Once clinical trials succeed, the endorsement of the technology would offer a less costly and easy-to-use alternative for individuals who have to undergo lung cancer diagnosis.

More than 1.8 million reported cases of lung cancer worldwide occur every year, and only 10 percent of which manage to survive. Low 5-year survival rates are attributed to late detection of the cancer. Many people suffering from serious respiratory illnesses hesitate pursuing required diagnostic tests because of the expense and associated risks. Existing chemical analysers to diagnose cancer markers are large and quite expensive. The FAIMS technology can potentially offer patients the option to avail a quick and simple-to-use diagnostic test which can be done at the physician’s clinic. Owlstone researchers are determined to complete the project so thousands could benefit from the technology. Results of the clinical trial will be provided early 2016.

In China, scientists at the Chongqing University were able to develop another potential diagnostic device for early detection of lung cancer. The breathalyser, named fluorescent cross-responsive sensor array, can detect low amounts of cancer-related chemicals or gases. Authors of the study, which was recently published in the journal Review of Scientific Instruments, said that laboratory tests demonstrated the breathalyser’s 100 percent accuracy in identifying VOCs that indicate lung cancer. However, clinical trials would still have to be conducted before this technology would be made available as a diagnostic device.

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