3D culture of human breast cancer cells, with DNA stained blue and a protein in the cell surface membrane stained green. Credit: Tom Misteli, PhD, and Karen Meaburn, PhD.

Israeli researchers have combined commercially existing, inexpensive breath and urines tests to accurately detect biomarkers of breast cancer in early stages.

The team from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and Soroka University Medical Center used two different electronic nose (e-nose) gas sensors to analyse breath and gas-chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) for quantification of substances in urine.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Premium Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

While the e-nose demonstrated an average of 95% accuracy in detecting unique breath patterns in breast cancer patients, a revamped GC-MS had 85% average accuracy for statistical analyses of urine samples.

“The team researchers used two different electronic nose (e-nose) gas sensors to analyse breath and gas-chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) for quantification of substances in urine.”

Ben-Gurion University Biomedical Engineering department professor Yehuda Zeiri said: “Breast cancer survival is strongly tied to the sensitivity of tumour detection; accurate methods for detecting smaller, earlier tumours remain a priority.

“Our new approach utilising urine and exhaled breath samples, analysed with inexpensive, commercially available processes, is non-invasive, accessible and may be easily implemented in a variety of settings.”

Current approaches for the diagnosis of breast cancer are said to have significant drawbacks such as more radiation exposure with dual-energy digital mammography, and invasive biopsies.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

Even though mammography screenings were found to significantly decrease breast cancer related mortality rates, they are limited due to an incapability to identify small tumours in dense breast tissue.

Zeiri added: “We’ve now shown that inexpensive, commercial electronic noses are sufficient for classifying cancer patients at early stages.

“With further study, it may also be possible to analyse exhaled breath and urine samples to identify other cancer types, as well.”