A computerized classification technique for screening for the presence of breath biomarkers in lung cancer.

Abstract

A simple computer-based screening technique has been developed for classifying human expired air components into 16 chemical classes, based on empirical formulas. The sort procedure was developed to simplify the screening of the composition of expired air samples by sorting all components into chemical classes and classifying components at the greater than 75% and greater than 90% occurrence levels. Both occurrence-rate components are then evaluated as diagnostic markers in a discriminant function model for their ability to detect lung cancer. Of the 386 components detected in the gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) data files, 45 components were present at the greater than 75% occurrence level and 28 components at the greater than 90% occurrence level. Thus, this preliminary sort routine, performed by using a simple macro program installed into a standard personal-computer spread-sheet, greatly reduces the amount of data required for statistical treatment. Such a sort routine can also be applied as easily to other complex GC/MS data files for the purpose of data reduction.

A simple, rapid and sensitive method for determination of aldehydes in human blood by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and solid‐phase microextraction with on‐fiber derivatization

“…Hexanal, heptanal and malondialdehyde levels in the blood samples from cancer patients were strikingly higher than those from a control 3. Hexanal and heptanal were found in breath from lung cancer patients 7–10. The two aldehydes as well as some alkanes and benzene derivatives were regarded as biomarkers of lung cancer 7.…”

“…Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) was applied to the analysis of aldehydes in human breath 7–10. However, due to their volatility and activity, it is very difficult to accurately measure aldehydes in breath and blood.…”

Rapid breath analysis for acute respiratory distress syndrome diagnostics using a portable 2-dimensional gas chromatography device

“…Exhaled breath contains hundreds of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Many VOCs (such as pentane, isoprene, and ethane) are related to inflammatory processes occurring in the lungs and systemically in blood from remote organ injury [12][13][14][15] . Those and other VOCs could potentially be used as biomarkers to predict the onset and severity of certain critical lung diseases such as ARDS as well as systemic inflammation such as sepsis.…”

Thin‐Wall Assembled SnO2 Fibers Functionalized by Catalytic Pt Nanoparticles and their Superior Exhaled‐Breath‐Sensing Properties for the Diagnosis of Diabetes

“…Selective detection of specific volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in exhaled breath is a very attractive non‐invasive diagnostic tool for the fast and simple recognition of various diseases, including diabetes1–9 and lung cancer 10–13. In particular, the breathing diagnosis for diabetes is largely based on an acetone breath test 4.…”