Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 25, 2025

04:33
Author Spotlight: Engineering Molecular Tools for Disease Detection and Imaging
Published on: December 8, 2023
937
A Novel Urine Test Biosensor Platform for Early Lung Cancer Detection
Ory Wiesel1, Sook-Whan Sung2, Amit Katz3
1Division of Thoracic and Esophageal Surgery the Cardiovascular Center, Tzafon Medical Center, Affiliated to Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar-Ilan University, Poriya 1520800, Israel.
Biosensors
|June 27, 2023
Summary
This study introduces a novel urine test using trained rats to detect lung cancer volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The biosensor platform (BSP) test shows high accuracy, offering a safe and rapid method for early lung cancer detection and monitoring.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Biotechnology
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Lung cancer is a leading cause of cancer mortality globally, necessitating early detection for improved outcomes.
- Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in bodily fluids can indicate cancerous metabolic changes.
- Current diagnostic methods for lung cancer can be invasive or lack sufficient sensitivity for early-stage detection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of a novel biosensor platform (BSP) utilizing trained rats for detecting lung cancer-specific VOCs in urine.
- To establish the accuracy, safety, and feasibility of the BSP test as an early lung cancer screening tool.
Main Methods:
- A double-blind study was conducted using trained Long-Evans rats as biosensors (BSs) to identify lung cancer VOCs in urine samples.
- The BSP test provided binary (negative/positive) recognition of lung cancer signature VOCs.
Main Results:
- The BSP test demonstrated high accuracy in recognizing lung cancer VOCs, achieving 93% sensitivity and 91% specificity.
- The test was found to be safe, rapid, objective, and suitable for repetitive monitoring.
Conclusions:
- The BSP urine test represents a promising, innovative tool for the early detection and monitoring of lung cancer.
- Routine implementation of this test could significantly improve lung cancer detection and curability rates while potentially reducing healthcare costs.

