Analysis of exhaled breath for diagnosing head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: a feasibility study

Abstract

Background:Squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (HNSCC) are wide-spread cancers that often lead to disfigurement and loss of important functions such as speech and ingestion. To date, HNSCC has no adequate method for early detection and screening.Methods:Exhaled breath samples were collected from 87 volunteers; 62 well-defined breath samples from 22 HNSCC patients (larynx and pharynx), 21 patients with benign tumours (larynx and pharynx) and 19 healthy controls were analysed in a dual approach: (i) chemical analysis using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and (ii) breath-print analysis using an array of nanomaterial-based sensors, combined with a statistical algorithm.Results:Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry identified ethanol, 2-propenenitrile and undecane as potential markers for HNSCC and/or benign tumours of the head and neck. The sensor-array-based breath-prints could clearly distinguish HNSCC both from benign tumours and from healthy states. Within the HNSCC group, patients could be classified according to tumour site and stage.Conclusions:We have demonstrated the feasibility of a breath test for a specific, clinically interesting application: distinguishing HNSCC from tumour-free or benign tumour states, as well as for staging and locating HNSCC. The sensor array used here could form the basis for the development of an urgently needed non-invasive, cost-effective, fast and reliable point-of-care diagnostic/screening tool for HNSCC.

Piezoresistive membrane surface stress sensors for characterization of breath samples of head and neck cancer patients

“…VOCs related to diseases like diabetes mellitus and uraemia in breath Other evidence that VOC profiles in exhaled breath can be used to detect diseases has been shown by Phillips et al for lung and breast cancer [24]. A pilot study of analysis of air exhaled by HNSCC patients using an array of five gold nanoparticle sensors and gas chromatography has shown promising results [1,2]. VOCs related to diseases like diabetes mellitus and uraemia in breath Other evidence that VOC profiles in exhaled breath can be used to detect diseases has been shown by Phillips et al for lung and breast cancer [24].…”

Monolayer-Capped Gold Nanoparticles for Disease Detection From Breath

“…In a complementary analysis, mass spectrometry analysis showed major differences in the concentrations of more than 13 different VOCs between the three subgroups [58]. In a more recent study, similar sensor future science group Review Nakhleh, Broza & Haick arrays provided accurate predictive models for distinguishing head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) from healthy states, HNSCC from benign tumors and benign tumors from healthy states [59]. Two additional predictive models allowed classification of HNSCC according to site and stage.…”

“…Two additional predictive models allowed classification of HNSCC according to site and stage. Patient classification was possible irrespective of the gender and tobacco consumption of the individual participants, which constitute important confounding as well as risk factors for HNSCC [59].…”

Exhaled breath analysis in the diagnosis of head and neck cancer

“…In addition, dimethyl disulfide, decamethylcyclopentasiloxane (D5), and p‐xylene (PX) have been reported as gas phase biomarkers that decrease after surgery . Ethanol, 2‐propenenitrile and undecane have also been identified as exhaled gas biomarkers that could distinguish laryngeal and pharyngeal head and neck squamous cell carcinoma from benign tumors and from healthy subjects …”

“…In oral squamous cell carcinoma, a recent study used EBA and found three compounds (benzaldehyde, 3,7‐dimethylundecane, and butyl acetate) that have a relationship with pathological parameters of these cancers . The methods used for EBA of HNC patients so far include gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry, various nanomaterial‐based sensors and chemical ionization mass spectrometry …”