Research progress on exhaled breath volatile organic compounds(VOCs) in the early diagnosis of lung cancer

Zhu Yuzhen; Zhang Junqing

doi:10.16689/j.cnki.cn11-9349/r.2026.04.016

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Electronic Journal of Metabolism and Nutrition of Cancer ›› 2026, Vol. 13 ›› Issue (4) : 570-575. DOI: 10.16689/j.cnki.cn11-9349/r.2026.04.016

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Research progress on exhaled breath volatile organic compounds(VOCs) in the early diagnosis of lung cancer

Zhu Yuzhen, Zhang Junqing

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Abstract

Early diagnosis of lung cancer is of paramount importance. The recommended screening strategy is annual low-dose spiral computed tomography for high risk populations; however, it has limitations including low specificity and a high false positive rate. Serological tumor marker tests may also indicate the development and progression of lung cancer, but their sensitivity and specificity are both low, and they are not routinely recommended for lung cancer screening. Breath analysis (BA), as an emerging noninvasive diagnostic method for pulmonary malignancies, is based on the detection of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in exhaled breath that are associated with malignant diseases. Its advantages include convenience, accuracy, and noninvasiveness, making it a potential new approach to improve early diagnosis of lung cancer. Currently, gas analysis technologies targeting major chemical classes such as alcohols, aliphatic hydrocarbons, aldehydes, esters, ketones and aromatic compounds have become increasingly mature. The sensitivity of diagnostic models constructed on these VOC panels is generally above 80%. With further technological advancements, more detection techniques will be introduced into clinical practice, gradually addressing current challenges such as the lack of standardized detection protocols and limited availability of detection equipment. It is believed that breath analysis will become one of the key technologies for early diagnosis of lung cancer in the future.

Key words

Lung cancer / Breath analysi / Volatile organic compounds / Early diagnosis / Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry / Electronic nose / Biomarkers / Metabolic reprogramming

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Zhu Yuzhen, Zhang Junqing. Research progress on exhaled breath volatile organic compounds(VOCs) in the early diagnosis of lung cancer[J]. Electronic Journal of Metabolism and Nutrition of Cancer. 2026, 13(4): 570-575 https://doi.org/10.16689/j.cnki.cn11-9349/r.2026.04.016

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