GYNE-VOX: Clinical study for the analysis of volatile organic compound profiles for endometrial cancer screening.

Authors: Raimundo BS* (1), Ferreira S (1), Vitorino A (1), Silva F (1), Riscado I (1), Pereira J (1), Pinto LV (1), Antunes MI (1), Batarda ML (1), Cal M (1), Pires M (1), Torres R (1), Belião S (1), Nabais H (1), Vaz PD (1)

Affiliations: (1) – Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, Lisboa, Portugal

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Abstract

Endometrial cancer is the most prevalent gynecological cancer in Western countries. The incidence is increasing not only in the developed world, where case numbers have more than doubled in the last 20 years but is also expected to increase in lower income countries as the global burden of obesity worsens. In line with this, mortality rates are also increasing, albeit to a lesser extent. Endometrial deaths have increased steadily by approximately 20% over the past decade. If current trends continue, the incidence of endometrial cancer is expected to double by 2030, therefore, an efficient screening would save lives. The aim of this study was to analyze the profiles of volatile organic compounds present in exhaled air from breath for endometrial cancer screening. A group of one hundred and twenty volunteers were recruited to carry out this study, divided into two distinct groups: the Control Group, containing the healthy volunteers and the Patient Group, containing the volunteers diagnosed with endometrial cancer. Background data (e.g. age, gender, risk exposures, contraceptive use, comorbidities, family history, etc…) was collected for both volunteer groups and patients group. The collection of exhaled air samples was performed using a device provided by Owlstone Medical, the ReCIVA Breath Biopsy, thermal desorption tubes for retention of the analytes. The chemical analysis of exhaled air was performed using Gas Chromatography coupled to Ionic Mobility Spectrometry (GC-IMS). The results obtained were statistically analyzed using Metaboanalyst, where the data were filtered, normalized and classified into two groups according to their respiratory profile. A confusion matrix was obtained, presenting values above 80% for Sensibility, Specificity, Positive Predictive Value (PPV), Negative Predictive Value (NPV) and Accuracy. This allowed association of the respiratory profiles with each group of volunteers for screening of endometrial cancer in women.