Analysis of Breath Volatile Organic Compounds Using Mass Spectrometry

July 23, 2026 updated by: University of Oklahoma

Breath Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) Analysis Using Proton Transfer Reaction Mass Spectrometry (PTR-MS)

The purpose of this clinical trial is to evaluate whether volatile organic compound (VOC) signatures detected in the breath of patients with cancer can serve as a potential screening tool for the early detection of cancer.

Study Overview

Status

Not yet recruiting

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

This study aims to determine whether metabolic changes associated with cancer produce distinct alterations in exhaled breath compared with those of healthy individuals. Breath samples will be analyzed using machine learning techniques to identify volatile organic compound (VOC) patterns and develop diagnostic algorithms capable of detecting multiple types of cancer. The long-term goal is to establish a noninvasive, breath-based screening tool that can facilitate the early detection of various cancers.

Additionally, patients and healthy participants who consent to this study may opt in to be contacted in the future to provide additional breath samples.

Study Type

Observational

Enrollment (Estimated)

2000

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact Backup

Study Locations

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sampling Method

Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Patients diagnosed with malignancies and healthy individuals who meet the inclusion criteria.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Age ≥ 18 at the time of consent. Male and female patients to be tested.
  • Capable of understanding written and/or spoken English language.
  • Able to provide informed consent.
  • Cancer of any type.
  • Newly diagnosed cancer and untreated or established diagnosis of cancer. For established cancer patients, no active anti-cancer treatment for more than one month (reasons for no treatment are such as relapse, progression of cancer, refractory, or intolerance to treatment etc.)

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Under the age of 18.
  • Anticipated inability to complete breath sampling procedure.
  • Unable to provide informed consent.
  • Pregnant women
  • Active respiratory infection symptoms
  • Recent use of antibiotics
  • Difficulty in performing coached exhalation
  • Individuals who are unable to follow the instructions
  • Cancer patients who are on active treatment for cancer or have received cancer treatment within one month

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
Intervention / Treatment
Diagnosed Malignancies
Participants in this group either have a newly diagnosed, untreated cancer or a pre-existing cancer diagnosis but are not currently receiving anticancer therapy. Participants with a pre-existing diagnosis must not have received any anticancer treatment within the previous month.
Device: Proton Transfer Reaction Mass Spectrometry Analysis
This is a noninvasive intervention. Participants will be asked to provide a breath sample using a disposable mouthpiece equipped with a saliva/moisture trap and a non-rebreathing valve. Breath samples will be collected through normal, steady exhalation. The entire breath collection process is expected to take no more than 30 minutes to complete.
Other Names:
  • PTR-MS
Healthy Control Group
Participants in this control group have no current or prior diagnosis of a malignancy.
Device: Proton Transfer Reaction Mass Spectrometry Analysis
This is a noninvasive intervention. Participants will be asked to provide a breath sample using a disposable mouthpiece equipped with a saliva/moisture trap and a non-rebreathing valve. Breath samples will be collected through normal, steady exhalation. The entire breath collection process is expected to take no more than 30 minutes to complete.
Other Names:
  • PTR-MS

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
VOC Signature Collection.
Time Frame: 2 Years
The successful collection of breath samples from 1000 cancer patients and 1000 healthy volunteers.
2 Years
Assess the sensitivity of Machine Learning (ML) Algorithm In The Test Dataset.
Time Frame: 1 Years
Using the training dataset, qualitative output generated by the PTR-MS instrument will be analyzed using machine learning methods to identify volatile organic compound (VOC) patterns associated with different cancer types, including pancreatic, esophageal, hepatocellular carcinoma, lung, and ovarian cancers. The trained machine learning model will be tested using the dataset.
1 Years

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Assess The Specificity and Accuracy of ML Analysis In The Test Dataset.
Time Frame: 1 year
To determine the specificity, and overall diagnostic accuracy of the machine learning (ML) algorithm for detecting pancreatic, esophageal, hepatocellular carcinoma, lung, and ovarian cancers within the test dataset.
1 year

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

University of Oklahoma

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Nirmal Choradia, MD, University of Oklahoma - Stephenson Cancer Center

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Estimated)

October 1, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

October 1, 2027

Study Completion (Estimated)

October 1, 2029

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

July 23, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

July 23, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

July 29, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

July 29, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

July 23, 2026

Last Verified

July 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • OU-SCC-VOC

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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