POINT-OF-CARE BREATH TEST FOR DISEASES

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Background: An advanced breathalyzer system has been developed to collect and analyze volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in alveolar breath in picomolar concentrations (parts per trillion). This technology has made it possible to identify breath biomarkers of diseases including lung cancer, breast cancer, and pulmonary tuberculosis. The problem: These tests employ laboratory-based technology that is slow and expensive, requiring highly trained staff and costly instrumentation. A new solution: The Remote Diagnosis System (RDS): The RDS is a rapid and cost-effective system for point-of-care breath diagnostics. It employs a portable Breathscanner that collects, concentrates, and analyzes breath biomarkers. Data are uploaded via the internet to a central computer that interprets the data with a diagnostic algorithm, and transmits a report to the user by e-mail. Advantages of the RDS: 7 Patient-friendly - breath testing is intrinsically safe, painless and non-invasive 7 User-friendly - clinical staff can be rapidly trained to operate the RDS 7 Convenient - the RDS operates anywhere, in a small footprint of table-top space 7 Rapid response - breath samples are analyzed and interpreted in minutes at the point-of-care 7Cost-effective - low capital cost of instrumentation, compared to laboratory assays 7 Safe - the RDS instrument employs non-inflammable helium carrier gas A new application of the RDS- Detection of breast cancer: In a pilot study, a laboratory-based breath test employing accurately identified women with breast cancer. In a recent validation study, the breath test identified breast cancer with accuracy superior to imaging with film or digital mammography. A point-of-care breath test yielded similar results, demonstrating the feasibility of detecting breast cancer with the RDS. Clinical role of the RDS: Breath testing is an ancillary procedure that is complementary to, not a substitute for, breast imaging or biopsy. The RDS could dramatically reduce utilization of these tests by identifying high-risk patients who require further testing, while safely excluding low-risk patients who do not. Short-term objectives: In Phase I, we will evaluate the RDS for: a. technical feasibility at three geographically diverse academic clinical sites, and b. clinical value in a pilot study of women with breast cancer versus cancer-free controls Long-term objectives: a. Scientific: Validate the RDS as a new tool for detection of breast cancer. b. Regulatory: Obtain FDA approval of the RDS for clinical use. c. Commercial: Market the RDS in the USA and overseas. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: The Remote Diagnosis System (RDS) is a rapid and cost-effective system for point-of-care breath diagnostics. It employs a portable Breathscanner that collects, concentrates, and analyzes breath biomarkers of disease. Data are uploaded via the internet to a central computer which then transmits a report to the user by e-mail. We will evaluate the RDS at three clinical sites for technical feasibility, and for detection of women with breast cancer.