New Brunswick’s healthcare technology company Breathe BioMedical has commenced studies at a second clinical trial site in North Carolina.
The research aims to validate the efficacy of a breath testing system used to identify breast cancer and propel its development. It started at the George Washington Comprehensive Breast Care Center in Washington DC and has now expanded to Duke University.
SohnoXB works by accurately measuring volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and biomarkers associated with the disease through the use of artificial intelligence algorithms.
The trial, being conducted in collaboration with the Mayo Clinic, is intended to determine which VOCs are over or under represented in breast cancer patients. It aims to serve as a supplementary screening measure to mammography for women with dense breast tissue that is more difficult to assess.
“These compounds [VOCs] can provide insights about the state of an individual’s health, environmental exposure and about how the body is reacting to changes that may be a result of disease,” Breathe BioMedical has explained.
According to the breath test developer, 50 per cent of females have dense breast tissue and they are four to five times more likely to develop bosom cancer. Tumours and dense breast tissue unfortunately look relatively the same on the scans, the oncology company says. Furthermore, mammography alone fails to detect breast cancer in about 40 per cent of women, Breathe BioMedical has highlighted.
“Adding Duke University as a site will allow us to continue to diversify our study population,” CEO Bill Dawes said in a news release on Tuesday, “which will help us build more robust machine learning algorithms.”
The clinical trial began in late February and will conclude by the end of 2026. Approximately 1,000 participants will be enrolled.
Early proof-of-concept data from 2023 showed that SohnoXB is 88.2 per cent accurate, based on a small-scale assessment.
Breath analysis has been gaining attention in the medical field for its simplicity, non-invasive nature and accuracy. Breath Diagnostics is another standout in this medical tech niche that has been using breath screening technology to detect other chest diseases such as lung cancer and pneumonia.
Read more: Breath Diagnostics opens Respiratory Innovation Summit with captivating presentation
Read more: Breath Diagnostics now offering a compelling investment opportunity
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