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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 27, 2026

Real-time Breath Analysis by Using Secondary Nanoelectrospray Ionization Coupled to High Resolution Mass Spectrometry

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Published on: March 9, 2018

Screening for emphysema via exhaled volatile organic compounds.

S M Cristescu¹, H A Gietema, L Blanchet

¹Life Science Trace Gas Facility, Molecular and Laser Physics, Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands. simona@science.ru.nl

Journal of Breath Research

|November 11, 2011

Summary

Exhaled volatile organic compounds (VOCs) show weak potential for diagnosing emphysema, airflow limitation, or diffusion capacity impairment in smokers undergoing lung cancer screening. Further research is needed to validate these breath markers.

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Automated Measurement of Pulmonary Emphysema and Small Airway Remodeling in Cigarette Smoke-exposed Mice

Automated Measurement of Pulmonary Emphysema and Small Airway Remodeling in Cigarette Smoke-exposed Mice

Published on: January 16, 2015

Area of Science:

Pulmonary Medicine
Analytical Chemistry

Background:

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and emphysema risk groups are well-defined, enabling early disease detection through screening.
Lung cancer screening trials offer opportunities to investigate biomarkers for co-existing respiratory conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

To assess the capability of exhaled volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to detect emphysema, airflow limitation, and gas-exchange impairment in individuals screened for lung cancer.
To identify specific VOC profiles indicative of these pulmonary conditions.

Main Methods:

204 subjects undergoing lung cancer screening provided computed tomography (CT) scans, pulmonary function tests, and breath samples.
Breath samples were analyzed using proton-transfer reaction mass spectrometry (PTR-MS) to profile VOCs.
Bootstrapped stepwise forward logistic regression was employed to identify diagnostic breath markers.

Main Results:

A marker at m/z 87 (2-methylbutanal) showed limited diagnostic capability for emphysema (ROC area 0.588).
Markers at m/z 52 (chloramine) and m/z 135 (alkyl benzene) were associated with obstructive disease (ROC area 0.646).
A marker at m/z 122 (alkyl homologs) correlated with impaired diffusion capacity (ROC area 0.671).

Conclusions:

Exhaled VOCs, when measured by PTR-MS in a screening setting, demonstrate weak performance as biomarkers for emphysema, pulmonary obstruction, and impaired diffusion capacity.
These findings suggest that while VOCs may offer insights, they are currently insufficient as standalone diagnostic tools for these conditions in this context.