Breast Cancer Detection by Analyzing the Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) Signature in Human Urine

Abstract

A rising number of authors are drawing evidence to the diagnostic capacity of specific volatile organic compounds (VOCs) resulting from some body fluids. While cancer incidence in society is on the rise, it becomes clear that the analysis of these VOCs can yield new strategies to mitigate advanced cancer incidence rates. This paper presents the methodology implemented to test whether a device consisting of an electronic nose inspired after a dog’s olfactory system and olfactory neurons is significantly informative to detect breast cancer (BC). To test this device, 90 human urine samples were collected from control subjects and BC patients at a hospital. To test this system, an artificial intelligence-based classification algorithm was developed. The algorithm was firstly trained and tested with data resulting from gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) urine readings, leading to a classification rate of 92.31%, sensitivity of 100.00%, and specificity of 85.71% (N=90). Secondly, the same algorithm was trained and tested with data obtained with our eNose prototype hardware, and class prediction was achieved with a classification rate of 75%, sensitivity of 100%, and specificity of 50%.

Potential of Liver Serum Enzymes and SUVmax in Primary Tumors as Predictive Biomarkers With Correlational Evidence

“…In the 21st century, cancer persists as the primary cause of mortality, still posing challenges for early detection. Various advanced technologies like liquid biopsy, artificial intelligence (AI) in imaging, genomic profiling, multi-parametric MRI (mpMRI), optical imaging techniques, cancer biomarkers, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) analysis, and advances in endoscopic technologies such as confocal laser endomicroscopy and molecular imaging are employed for the early detection of cancer [2][3][4][5][6]. Recently, positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) has established itself as a crucial diagnostic tool for cancer, offering valuable insights into the physiological and anatomical features of malignancies [7].…”