MSACL 2018 EU Abstract

Self-Classified Topic Area(s): Small Molecules

Cross Platform Validation of Mass Spectrometry for the Diagnosis of Colorectal Cancer Using a Breath Test

Georgia Woodfield (1,2), Ilaria Belluomo (1), Gengping Lin (1), Piers Boshier (1), Andrea Romano (1), John Martin (2), Chris Groves (3), Brian Saunders (1,4), Wendy Atkin (1), George B Hanna (1,2)
1) Imperial College London 2) Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust 3) St Georges Healthcare NHS Trust 4) St Mark’s Hospital, London

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Georgia Woodfield (Presenter)
Imperial College London

Presenter Bio: I am a gastroenterologist working in North West London, part way through my registrar training. I am currently taking 3 years out of my medical training to do a PhD in "Breath Testing for Colorectal Cancer" with Professor Hanna And Professor Atkin at Imperial College London. This mainly involves running two large studies based in London looking at diagnostic accuracy and feasibility of breath testing for colorectal cancer. I use mass spectrometry (GC-MS and PTR-MS) to analyse volatile organic compounds present in breath. I am particularly interested in early cancer diagnosis and endoscopic screening. Given that I am new to the mass spectrometry field, I am excited to meet colleagues working in this area and find out about other ongoing and related projects.

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Abstract

A breath test for colorectal cancer (CRC) could be a valuable non-invasive diagnostic tool. The Colorectal BReath Analysis (COBRA) prospective study aims to determine the accuracy of breath volatile organic compounds (VOCs) for detecting CRC, building on previous literature. This crucially depends on accurate breath profiling. We performed cross platform validation of breath VOCs from the first 406 patients using gas chromatography mass spectrometry vs. proton transfer reaction mass spectrometry. This proved to be an accurate, reliable method for identifying and quantifying VOCs, with good inter-instrument agreement. This widespread use of a breath test for CRC seems technically possible.