title: Bronchoscopically obtained volatile biomarkers in lung cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The exhaled breath of lung cancer patients contains volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that differ from those in healthy individuals. These VOCs can be detected with methods such as ion mobility spectrometry (IMS); their origin remains unknown.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 19 patients with lung cancer, exhaled breath was aspirated via the working channel of a flexible bronchoscope from both the tumor-bearing and the opposite lung and analyzed with IMS.
  
  
  RESULTS
  IMS measurement through the working channel of a bronchoscope was feasible and safe. In comparison to the opposite lung, we found two peaks that were significantly higher and three peaks that were significantly lower on the IMS of the tumor-bearing site. VOCs differ in concentration depending on the histologic subtype.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results indicate that VOCs in lung cancer patients are produced locally in or around the tumor, and it is most likely that these VOCs represent underlying metabolic processes of the tumor.
authors.affiliation: Department of Interventional Pneumology, Ruhrlandklinik, University Hospital Essen, University of Essen, Tüschener Weg 40, 45239, Essen, Germany, kaid.darwiche@ruhrlandklinik.uk-essen.de
authors.forename: Kaid
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Darwiche
authors.forename: Joerg Ingo
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Baumbach
authors.forename: Urte
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Sommerwerck
authors.forename: Helmut
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Teschler
authors.forename: Lutz
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Freitag
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism*; D001944:Breath Tests; D001999:Bronchoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D045853:Exhalation; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007477:Ions; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013057:Spectrum Analysis; D055549:Volatile Organic Compounds / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D007477:Ions; D055549:Volatile Organic Compounds