Diagnostic and Prognostic utility of eNOSE for Lung Cancer in a TB-endemic setting: A Pilot Study

Abstract

<b>Background:</b> Lung cancer is one of the commonest and lethal cancers which are usually diagnosed at an advanced stage. Exhaled breath analysis using E-nose is a unique non-invasive device that has been used for lung cancer diagnosis and monitoring response. <b>Objectives:</b> Evaluate the role of E-nose for diagnosing and monitoring treatment response in lung cancer patients. <b>Method:</b> 50 suspected lung cancer patients were enrolled in this study. Exhaled breath was collected in a Tedlar bag and analyzed by E-nose (Cyranose-320). Further, the patients were characterized and separated into two groups based on the histo-pathological examination. Confirmed lung cancer patients were followed up after 3 months of treatment and samples were collected. Breath print was analyzed by 2D cluster analysis in R-programming. <b>Results:</b> Of 50 suspected, 10 patient were non-cancerous [80% males, mean age (SD): 56.8 (16.8)] and 40 patients were found to have pathologically confirmed lung cancer [76% males, mean age (SD): 61.1 (12.7)]. Confirmed with lung cancer included 18 Adenocarcinoma; 14 Squamous cell carcinoma, 3 un-differentiated non-small cell lung cancer and 5 small cell lung cancer. Patients were followed-up after 3 months and breath samples was collected as well as clinical response was recorded. The 2D cluster analysis could differentiate the breath prints of lung cancer from non-cancerous subjects, 3 months follow-up from the baseline, and clinically responder from the baseline with around 70% accuracy. <b>Conclusion:</b> Breath print can differentiate lung cancer from non-cancerous as well as clinically responder subjects. Hence, eNOSE can be used as a potential diagnostic &amp; prognostic tool for lung cancer.