Scientists in London say a new breath test could make it easier to detect blood cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma — offering patients a faster, less painful alternative to biopsies.
A study published in HemaSphere by researchers at Queen Mary University of London analyzed volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in exhaled breath. The team, led by Dr. John Riches of Barts Cancer Institute, found that breath may reflect bloodstream changes linked to cancer, building on earlier success with solid tumor detection.
Between August 2020 and March 2022, researchers collected samples from 74 volunteers — 46 with newly diagnosed acute leukemia or high-grade lymphoma and 28 healthy controls — using the ReCIVA Breath Sampler by Owlstone Medical. After quality control, they analyzed 36 cancer patients’ samples and 27 healthy controls’, identifying 394 molecular features, including 49 confirmed compounds.
Lymphoma patients showed elevated VOCs linked to oxidative stress, suggesting a distinct chemical signature.
“Previous studies have shown the value of using breath tests to detect lung cancer,” Dr. Riches said, per Brighter Side of News. “But no one had ever investigated whether blood cancer cells release molecules that pass into the breath, despite the purpose of breathing being to exchange substances between the blood and the breath.”
Researchers said the breakthrough could help reduce diagnostic delays, especially in underserved areas, with a portable device potentially delivering results within seconds. More studies are needed before it can be used in hospitals.