Using E-Nose Technology to Measure Response to Treatment in Patients with Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma
This clinical trial evaluates electronic nose (E-Nose) technology in measuring response to treatment in patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM), which is cancer in the lining of the lungs and the inner side of the ribs. E-Nose technology is a system of chemical sensors that acts like a human nose to detect different chemicals in gases. Studies show that people with MPM have unique chemicals in their exhaled breaths that are not present in people without MPM. The test using the E-Nose technology involves collecting a breath sample that is blown out (exhaled) into a pipe-like device. The device captures the breath in a cartridge so a laboratory can test the breath for the unique chemicals that are found in people with MPM. The researchers think these chemicals can be used as “breathprints” to measure how people respond to MPM treatments without the need for invasive procedures (like biopsy). The researchers will study how E-Nose breathprints change over time as people receive standard treatment for MPM. They will also look at how changes in people’s E-Nose breathprints compare with the testing results of the surgically removed tissue samples and to changes in their standard imaging scans and biomarkers of MPM in their blood. A biomarker is a biological molecule found in blood, other body fluids, or tissues that is a sign of a normal or abnormal process, or of a condition or disease. A biomarker may be used to see how well the body responds to a treatment for a disease or condition. Information gained from this trial may allow researchers to determine whether the results from breathprinting with E-Nose technology match the results of standard testing, which could prove to be an efficient and less invasive way to measure response to treatment for MPM.