Detect-ION and Moffitt Cancer Center Collaborate to Revolutionize Lung Cancer Early Detection

The pilot project partnership envisions breath diagnostics to be an in-home screening that is fast, inexpensive, and as easy as blowing up a balloon

TAMPA, Fla., Aug. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Detect-ION, the pioneering Deep-Tech startup headquartered in Tampa, Florida, has partnered with Moffitt Cancer Center for an ambitious venture to revolutionize lung cancer early detection through next-generation breath diagnostics. The pilot project, sponsored by Detect-ION, introduces rapid, non-invasive, ultra-low-cost, point-of-care (PoC) breath diagnostics, offering a transformative approach to early lung cancer diagnosis.

"Traditional lung cancer screening using low-dose CT scans has very low uptake and is only available to population with a high risk of lung cancer based on age and smoking history.  Despite the availability of lung cancer screening and next-generation therapies, the 5-year survival rate is a dismal 25% and over 120,000 persons die from this disease annually in the US", shared Ashish Chaudhary, PhD, CEO of Detect-ION and principal investigator of the pilot study. "By utilizing trace-level chemical signatures to identify volatile organic compound (VOC) biomarkers at parts per trillion concentrations in exhaled breath, Detect-ION is developing a low-cost, patient-friendly, in-home test for diagnosing lung cancer. While it's a complex sensing technology, think of it as quick and easy as blowing up a small balloon."

The pilot study will leverage Detect-ION's groundbreaking chip-scale mass spectrometry platform, named "CLARION," to demonstrate key VOC biomarkers distinguishing lung cancer-positive patients from healthy controls.

"Since local therapy for early-stage lung cancer is associated with a substantially greater likelihood of cure, our pilot seeks to provide an additional approach for early detection of the disease. We will begin with late-stage patients to identify robust VOC biomarkers and if successful, we will conduct a follow-up study on early-stage patients to determine the potential for early detection," said Matthew Schabath, PhD, co-leader of the Cancer Epidemiology Program at Moffitt and the co-PI of the project.

Through this pilot project, Detect-ION is advancing the diagnostic capabilities of PoC mass spectrometry, with a vision to provide a never-before-possible, at-home, self-administered regular testing capability. Detect-ION's commitment to advancing lung cancer screening through breath diagnostics underscores its dedication to transforming healthcare with accessible, evidence-based solutions. The company hopes the data gained from this initial pilot study can inform early detection and diagnosis for other cancers, such as prostate, colorectal, pancreas, and liver.

SOURCE Detect-ION