LabMedica

Download Mobile App
Recent News Expo Clinical Chem. Molecular Diagnostics Hematology Immunology Microbiology Pathology Technology Industry Focus

Breath and Urine Tests Detect Early Breast Cancer

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 08 May 2018
Print article
Image: A diagram of breast cancer detection using artificial neural network (Photo courtesy of Ben-Gurion University).
Image: A diagram of breast cancer detection using artificial neural network (Photo courtesy of Ben-Gurion University).
Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed malignancy among females and the leading cause of death around the world. In 2016, breast cancer accounted for 29% of all new cancers identified in the USA and was responsible for 14% all cancer-related deaths.

Current diagnostic imaging detection for smaller tumors has significant drawbacks: dual-energy digital mammography, while effective, increases radiation exposure, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is expensive. Biopsies and serum biomarker identification processes are invasive, equipment-intensive and require significant expertise.

Scientists at the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (Beersheba, Israel) collected exhaled breath samples from 48 breast cancer (BC) patients and 45 healthy women that served as a control group. Urine samples were collected from 37 patients who were diagnosed with BC based on physical or mammography tests prior to any surgery, and from 36 healthy women. Two commercial electronic noses (ENs) were used for the exhaled breath analysis. Urine samples were analyzed using Gas-Chromatography Mass-Spectrometry (GC-MS).

Statistical analysis of results was based on an artificial neural network (ANN) obtained following feature extraction and feature selection processes. The model obtained allows classification of breast cancer patients with an accuracy of 95.2% ± 7.7% using data of one EN, and an accuracy of 85% for the other EN and for urine samples.

The authors concluded that the developed statistical analysis method enables accurate classification of patients as healthy or with BC based on simple non-invasive exhaled breath and a urine sample analysis. This study demonstrates that available commercial ENs can be used, provided that the data analysis is carried out using an appropriate method.

Yehuda Zeiri, PhD, a professor of Biomedical Engineering and senior author of the study said, “Our new approach utilizing urine and exhaled breath samples, analyzed with inexpensive, commercially available processes, is non-invasive, accessible and may be easily implemented in a variety of settings.” The study was published on May 1, 2018, in the journal Computers in Biology and Medicine.

Related Links:
Ben-Gurion University of the Negev

Platinum Member
COVID-19 Rapid Test
OSOM COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test
Magnetic Bead Separation Modules
MAG and HEATMAG
POCT Fluorescent Immunoassay Analyzer
FIA Go
New
Gold Member
Magnetic Bead Separation Modules
MAG and HEATMAG

Print article

Channels

Clinical Chemistry

view channel
Image: The 3D printed miniature ionizer is a key component of a mass spectrometer (Photo courtesy of MIT)

3D Printed Point-Of-Care Mass Spectrometer Outperforms State-Of-The-Art Models

Mass spectrometry is a precise technique for identifying the chemical components of a sample and has significant potential for monitoring chronic illness health states, such as measuring hormone levels... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: The CAPILLARYS 3 DBS devices have received U.S. FDA 510(k) clearance (Photo courtesy of Sebia)

Next Generation Instrument Screens for Hemoglobin Disorders in Newborns

Hemoglobinopathies, the most widespread inherited conditions globally, affect about 7% of the population as carriers, with 2.7% of newborns being born with these conditions. The spectrum of clinical manifestations... Read more

Immunology

view channel
Image: The AI predictive model identifies the most potent cancer killing immune cells for use in immunotherapies (Photo courtesy of Shutterstock)

AI Predicts Tumor-Killing Cells with High Accuracy

Cellular immunotherapy involves extracting immune cells from a patient's tumor, potentially enhancing their cancer-fighting capabilities through engineering, and then expanding and reintroducing them into the body.... Read more

Microbiology

view channel
Image: The T-SPOT.TB test is now paired with the Auto-Pure 2400 liquid handling platform for accurate TB testing (Photo courtesy of Shutterstock)

Integrated Solution Ushers New Era of Automated Tuberculosis Testing

Tuberculosis (TB) is responsible for 1.3 million deaths every year, positioning it as one of the top killers globally due to a single infectious agent. In 2022, around 10.6 million people were diagnosed... Read more