Publications

Publications

Peer-reviewed publications in volatile organic compounds and non-invasive diagnostics.

52
Philip Kwan Hung Leung, Alson Hubert Kwongyiu Wong, Yiling Ma, Jungmin Jen Yoo, María Bajo-Fernández, Valerio Converso, Aaron Parker, Patrik Spanel, George Bushra Hanna & Ilaria Belluomo. Methanol-driven esterification of volatile short-chain fatty acids in thermal desorption-based analysis
doi.org/10.1038/s42004-026-01998-5
Research aim
This study aimed to examine the factors that influence the production of fatty acid methyl esters and consequently limit the recovery of short-chain fatty acids. The researchers hypothesized that the methanol-driven esterification of these acids is dependent on time and temperature, and that it can occur under standard solvent handling and storage conditions used in thermal desorption-based analysis without needing an acid or base catalyst.
Key findings
The study demonstrated that methanol-driven esterification of short-chain fatty acids occurs in the liquid phase, but not in the gas phase. The rate of esterification increased alongside higher temperatures and higher methanol-to-acid ratios. Additionally, extended storage at elevated temperatures accelerated the esterification process, which reduced recovery by up to 70% after two months in both room temperature and refrigerated conditions.
51
Walsh CM, Murray J, Laponogov I, Parker A, Ellis JK, Converso V, Austin E, Boshier PR, Czajkowski C, Spalding D, Al-Mukhtar A, Frampton AE, Roberts KJ, Pandanaboyana S, Halloran C, Costello E, Kocher H, Mitra V, Hamady Z, Al-Sarireh B, Pathak S, Mitchell WK, Siriwardena AK, Westlake C, Pereira SP, Spiliotis I, Biswas S, Vapor Collaborators, Španěl P, Veselkov K, Sharples LD, Hanna GB; VAPOR Collaborators. Development and validation of a diagnostic prediction model for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: VAPOR 1, protocol for a prospective multicentre case-control study
10.1136/bmjopen-2024-094505
Research aim
To develop and validate a diagnostic prediction model (VAPOR 1) using non-invasive biomarkers (likely breath testing, based on the research group) to detect pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.
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50
Fadel MG, Murray J, Woodfield G, Belluomo I, Laponogov I, Parker A, Converso V, Ellis JK, Wheatstone P, Hepburn J, Groves C, Monahan K, Saunders BP, Španěl P, Veselkov K, Cross AJ, Kontovounisios C, Sharples LD, Hanna GB; COBRA2 Collaborators
10.1186
Research aim
To develop and validate a non-invasive breath test for detecting colorectal cancer through a multicentre, case-control study (the COBRA2 study).
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49
Fadel MG, Kettley-Linsell H, Boshier PR, Barnes R, Newby C, Manyara AM, Buckle P, Vyas DA, Hepburn J, Edgar-Jones P, Rai T, Nicholson BD, Cross AJ, Sharples LD, Hopewell S, Cohen JF, Welch V, Bossuyt PM, Hanna GB. Development of START-EDI guidelines for reporting equality, diversity and inclusion in research: a study protocol.
10.1136
Research aim
To develop the START-EDI guidelines: a minimum set of reporting standards to ensure equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are consistently and transparently reported in human research. This aims to improve fairness, reproducibility, and the evaluation of bias in health studies.
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48
Belluomo I, Tarazi M, Lao-Kaim NP, Tai YF, Spanel P, Hanna GB. Detection of Volatile Organic Compounds as an emerging strategy for Parkinson's disease diagnosis and monitoring. npj Parkinsons Dis. 2025 Jun 12;11:161.
Research aim
To review the current state and future potential of VOC analysis in biological samples for Parkinson's disease, identifying biomarkers that reflect disease mechanisms such as microbiome changes, metabolism, and oxidative stress.
Key findings
VOC profiles have strong potential as non-invasive PD biomarkers. Short-chain fatty acids from the gut microbiome emerged as a novel class linked to PD. Larger standardised studies are needed to validate findings.
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47
Leung PKH, Kim I, Das B, Hanna GB. Volatilomic response to targeted cancer therapy in vitro. Sci Rep. 2025 Jun 3;15(1):19445. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-04886-5.
10.1038/s41598-025-04886-5
Research aim
To characterise VOC changes in cancer cell lines in response to targeted therapies, exploring volatilomic signatures as pharmacodynamic biomarkers.
Key findings
Targeted cancer therapies induced distinct VOC profiles in vitro, suggesting volatilomic responses could serve as non-invasive indicators of treatment effect.
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46
Belluomo I, Whitlock SE, Myridakis A, Parker AG, Converso V, Perkins MJ, Langford VS, Španěl P, Hanna GB. Combining Thermal Desorption with Selected Ion Flow Tube Mass Spectrometry for Analyses of Breath Volatile Organic Compounds. Anal Chem. 2024 Jan 30;96(4):1397–1401. doi: 10.1021/acs.analchem.3c04286.
10.1021/acs.analchem.3c04286
Research aim
To develop a novel instrument integrating thermal desorption (TD) with SIFT-MS for large-scale multicentre clinical VOC breath analysis.
Key findings
The TD–SIFT-MS platform enables rapid VOC analysis and remote sample collection. A validated targeted method for 21 clinically relevant VOCs was created and confirmed in two independent laboratories.
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45
Myridakis A, Wen Q, Boshier PR, Parker AG, Belluomo I, Handakas E, Hanna GB. Global Urinary Volatolomics with (GC×)GC-TOF-MS. Anal Chem. 2023 Nov 28;95(47):17170–17176. doi: 10.1021/acs.analchem.3c02523.
10.1021/acs.analchem.3c02523
Research aim
To develop an improved methodology for global volatolomic profiling of urinary samples for non-invasive disease detection.
Key findings
Required urine volume was reduced five-fold (2 mL to 0.4 mL). Multidimensional GC×GC improved biomarker discovery and the method was validated on a pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cohort.
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44
Wen Q, Myridakis A, Boshier PR, Zuffa S, Belluomo I, Parker AG, Chin ST, Hakim S, Markar SR, Hanna GB. A Complete Pipeline for Untargeted Urinary Volatolomic Profiling with Sorptive Extraction and Dual Polar and Nonpolar Column Methodologies Coupled with GC-TOF-MS. Anal Chem. 2023 Jan 17;95(2):758–765. doi: 10.1021/acs.analchem.2c02873.
10.1021/acs.analchem.2c02873
Research aim
To develop and optimise a complete pipeline for untargeted urinary volatolomic profiling demonstrating potential for non-invasive disease detection.
Key findings
A novel HiSorb sorptive extraction method with GC-TOF-MS identified four urinary biomarkers (2-pentanone, hexanal, 3-hexanone, p-cymene) distinguishing pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma from controls.
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43
Woodfield G, Belluomo I, Laponogov I, Veselkov K; COBRA1 Working Group; Cross AJ, Hanna GB. Diagnostic Performance of a Noninvasive Breath Test for Colorectal Cancer: COBRA1 Study. Gastroenterology. 2022 Nov;163(5):1447–1449.e8. doi: 10.1053/j.gastro.2022.06.084.
10.1053/j.gastro.2022.06.084
Research aim
To develop and evaluate a breath test based on VOC detection as a non-invasive triage tool for colorectal cancer.
Key findings
A 14-VOC model achieved AUC 0.87 (sensitivity 79%, specificity 86%, NPV 97%). In symptomatic patients the AUC rose to 0.91. Multicentre feasibility was demonstrated.
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42
Belluomo I, Boshier PR, Myridakis A, Vadhwana B, Markar SR, Spanel P, Hanna GB. Selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry for targeted analysis of volatile organic compounds in human breath. Nat Protoc. 2021 Jul;16(7):3419–3438. doi: 10.1038/s41596-021-00542-0.
10.1038/s41596-021-00542-0
Research aim
To provide a standardised protocol for online and offline breath analysis using SIFT-MS for non-invasive disease detection.
Key findings
A comprehensive workflow analyses 50 breath samples in under 3 hours. Targeted protocols for disease-specific VOCs including fatty acids, aldehydes, phenols, alcohols, and alkanes were established.
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41
Antonowicz S, Bodai Z, Wiggins T, Markar SR, Boshier PR, Goh YM, Adam ME, Lu H, Kudo H, Rosini F, Goldin R, Moralli D, Green CM, Peters CJ, Habib N, Gabra H, Fitzgerald RC, Takats Z, Hanna GB. Endogenous aldehyde accumulation generates genotoxicity and exhaled biomarkers in esophageal adenocarcinoma. Nat Commun. 2021 Mar 5;12(1):1454. doi: 10.1038/s41467-021-21800-5.
10.1038/s41467-021-21800-5
Research aim
To investigate mechanisms behind volatile aldehyde accumulation in oesophageal adenocarcinoma and explore their genotoxicity and diagnostic potential.
Key findings
Weak aldehyde detoxification leads to DNA adduct formation. Decanal was enriched in EAC tissue and linked to reduced ALDH3A2 expression. Metformin was shown to reduce aldehyde-induced genotoxicity.
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40
Aksenov AA, Laponogov I, Zhang Z, Doran SLF, Belluomo I, Veselkov D et al., Hanna GB, Dorrestein PC, Veselkov K. Auto-deconvolution and molecular networking of gas chromatography–mass spectrometry data. Nat Biotechnol. 2021 Feb;39(2):169–173. doi: 10.1038/s41587-020-0700-3.
10.1038/s41587-020-0700-3
Research aim
To develop a machine learning algorithm (MSHub) for automated deconvolution of GC-MS data and molecular networking within the GNPS platform.
Key findings
MSHub uses non-negative matrix factorisation and Fourier transformation for automated spectral deconvolution, enabling global molecular networking at repository scale.
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39
Kamal F, Kumar S, Edwards MR, Veselkov K, Belluomo I, Kebadze T et al., Hanna GB. Virus-induced Volatile Organic Compounds Are Detectable in Exhaled Breath during Pulmonary Infection. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2021 Nov 1;204(9):1075–1085. doi: 10.1164/rccm.202103-0660OC.
10.1164/rccm.202103-0660OC
Research aim
To determine whether VOC measurements could distinguish viral from bacterial infections in COPD patients during acute exacerbations.
Key findings
A VOC signature including decane and long-chain alkanes was induced by rhinovirus but not bacterial infection, correlating with antiviral immune responses, viral burden, and exacerbation severity.
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38
Lin GP, Vadhwana B, Belluomo I, Boshier PR, Španěl P, Hanna GB. Cross Platform Analysis of Volatile Organic Compounds Using Selected Ion Flow Tube and Proton-Transfer-Reaction Mass Spectrometry. J Am Soc Mass Spectrom. 2021 May 5;32(5):1215–1223. doi: 10.1021/jasms.1c00027.
10.1021/jasms.1c00027
Research aim
To assess the relationship between SIFT-MS and PTR-ToF-MS in quantifying target breath metabolites.
Key findings
Strong agreement was found between both techniques (r = 0.97 for acetone, r = 0.89 for isoprene), with most metabolites within 95% limits of agreement, supporting cross-platform data transfer.
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37
Woodfield G, Belluomo I, Boshier PR, Waller A, Fayyad M, von Wagner C, Cross AJ, Hanna GB. Feasibility and acceptability of breath research in primary care: a prospective, cross-sectional, observational study. BMJ Open. 2021 Apr 13;11(4):e044691. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-044691.
10.1136/bmjopen-2020-044691
Research aim
To examine the feasibility and acceptability of breath research in primary care settings.
Key findings
95% of breath samples met quality criteria. Both single practice and hub and spoke recruitment models were effective (~5 patients/day). High acceptability was reported by both patients and GPs.
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36
Hanna GB, Cross AJ. Editorial: volatile organic compound analysis to improve faecal immunochemical testing in the detection of colorectal cancer. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2021 Aug;54(4):504–505. doi: 10.1111/apt.16471.
10.1111/apt.16471
Research aim
To evaluate the potential of combining faecal immunochemical tests (FIT) with VOC analysis as a triage tool for colorectal cancer detection.
Key findings
Combining FIT and VOC tests may reduce missed colorectal cancers compared to FIT alone. Significant methodological variability calls for large-scale prospective validation.
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35
Wen Q, Boshier P, Myridakis A, Belluomo I, Hanna GB. Urinary Volatile Organic Compound Analysis for the Diagnosis of Cancer: A Systematic Literature Review and Quality Assessment. Metabolites. 2020 Dec 29;11(1):17. doi: 10.3390/metabo11010017.
10.3390/metabo11010017
Research aim
To summarise published literature on cancer-associated urinary VOCs and evaluate their potential as early cancer detection biomarkers.
Key findings
48 urinary VOCs from 13 studies showed distinct profiles per cancer subtype across 5 cancer types. Study heterogeneity remains a key limitation requiring standardised protocols.
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34
Goh YM, Antonowicz SS, Boshier P, Hanna GB. Metabolic Biomarkers of Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Aerodigestive Tract: A Systematic Review and Quality Assessment. Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2020 Feb 21;2020:2930347. doi: 10.1155/2020/2930347.
10.1155/2020/2930347
Research aim
To systematically review metabolomic studies in aerodigestive squamous cell carcinomas, focusing on metabolic biomarkers and study quality.
Key findings
30 studies (2,117 patients) were included — all phase-I discovery without independent validation. Amino acid metabolism was the most consistently reported alteration. Higher diagnostic performance was found for oesophageal and head and neck cancers.
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33
Abbassi-Ghadi N, Antonowicz SS, McKenzie JS, Kumar S, Huang J, Jones EA, Strittmatter N, Petts G, Kudo H, Court S, Hoare JM, Veselkov K, Goldin R, Takáts Z, Hanna GB. De Novo Lipogenesis Alters the Phospholipidome of Esophageal Adenocarcinoma. Cancer Res. 2020 Jul 1;80(13):2764–2774. doi: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-19-4035.
10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-19-4035
Research aim
To assess whether DESI mass spectrometry imaging can identify oesophageal adenocarcinoma and unveil mechanisms of phospholipidomic reprogramming.
Key findings
Phospholipid models achieved AUC 0.97 (discovery) and 1.0 (validation). Polyunsaturated phosphatidylglycerols were enriched in EAC. Silencing ACLY linked de novo lipogenesis to the phospholipidome.
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32
Vadhwana B, Belluomo I, Boshier PR, Pavlou C, Španěl P, Hanna GB. Impact of oral cleansing strategies on exhaled volatile organic compound levels. Rapid Commun Mass Spectrom. 2020 May 15;34(9):e8706. doi: 10.1002/rcm.8706.
10.1002/rcm.8706
Research aim
To assess the impact of oral cleansing strategies on exhaled VOC levels and provide standardised practices for breath sampling.
Key findings
Water rinsing reduced volatile fatty acids and alcohols. Toothbrushing and mouthwash increased aldehydes and phenols. Sulphur compounds were unaffected by any intervention.
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31
Markar SR, Chin ST, Romano A, Wiggins T, Antonowicz S, Paraskeva P, Ziprin P, Darzi A, Hanna GB. Breath Volatile Organic Compound Profiling of Colorectal Cancer Using Selected Ion Flow-tube Mass Spectrometry. Ann Surg. 2019 May;269(5):903–910. doi: 10.1097/SLA.0000000000002539.
10.1097/SLA.0000000000002539
Research aim
To investigate propanal as a breath biomarker for colorectal cancer diagnosis and recurrence detection.
Key findings
Propanal at 28 ppbv showed sensitivity 96% / specificity 76% in discovery, and 83%/85% in validation. Post-surgical levels normalised in disease-free patients but rose with recurrence (sensitivity 71%, specificity 91%).
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30
Hanna GB, Boshier PR, Markar SR, Romano A. Accuracy and Methodologic Challenges of Volatile Organic Compound-Based Exhaled Breath Tests for Cancer Diagnosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA Oncol. 2019 Jan 1;5(1):e182815. doi: 10.1001/jamaoncol.2018.2815.
10.1001/jamaoncol.2018.2815
Research aim
To determine the diagnostic accuracy of VOC breath tests for cancer detection and evaluate sources of methodological variability.
Key findings
Meta-analysis of 63 studies (3,554 patients) showed mean AUC 0.94, sensitivity 79%, specificity 89%. Methodological variability was influenced by breath collection methods, patient conditions, and analytical techniques.
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29
Adam ME, Fehervari M, Boshier PR, Chin ST, Lin GP, Romano A, Kumar S, Hanna GB. Mass-Spectrometry Analysis of Mixed-Breath, Isolated-Bronchial-Breath, and Gastric-Endoluminal-Air Volatile Fatty Acids in Esophagogastric Cancer. Anal Chem. 2019 Mar 5;91(5):3740–3746. doi: 10.1021/acs.analchem.9b00148.
10.1021/acs.analchem.9b00148
Research aim
To investigate volatile fatty acid (VFA) production in oesophagogastric cancer across anatomical compartments and assess their biomarker potential.
Key findings
VFAs were elevated in headspace above cancer tissues ex vivo. Butyric and pentanoic acids in gastric-endoluminal air achieved AUC 0.80. VFA concentrations were highest in gastric-endoluminal air.
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28
Romano A, Hanna GB. Identification and quantification of VOCs by proton transfer reaction time of flight mass spectrometry: An experimental workflow for the optimization of specificity, sensitivity, and accuracy. J Mass Spectrom. 2018 Apr;53(4):287–295. doi: 10.1002/jms.4063.
10.1002/jms.4063
Research aim
To develop a PTR-ToF-MS workflow for targeted VOC analysis, optimising product ion identification, accuracy, and fragmentation.
Key findings
Lower electric fields (<90 Td) reduced fragmentation and improved sensitivity up to 4-fold for aldehydes. A novel diffusion-tube calibration methodology achieved quantification errors of 8% or lower.
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27
Romano A, Doran S, Belluomo I, Hanna GB. High-Throughput Breath Volatile Organic Compound Analysis Using Thermal Desorption Proton Transfer Reaction Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry. Anal Chem. 2018 Sep 4;90(17):10204–10210. doi: 10.1021/acs.analchem.8b01045.
10.1021/acs.analchem.8b01045
Research aim
To develop and evaluate a TD–PTR-ToF-MS platform for large-scale breath analysis to detect colorectal and oesophagogastric adenocarcinoma biomarkers.
Key findings
Limits of detection 0.2–0.9 ppbV; analytical recoveries >=80%; R2 = 0.98–0.99; CV <20%. The platform processed nearly 100 TD tubes within 24 hours, supporting clinical-scale studies.
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26
Markar SR, Wiggins T, Antonowicz S, Chin ST, Romano A, Nikolic K, Evans B, Cunningham D, Mughal M, Lagergren J, Hanna GB. Assessment of a Noninvasive Exhaled Breath Test for the Diagnosis of Oesophagogastric Cancer. JAMA Oncol. 2018 Jul 1;4(7):970–976. doi: 10.1001/jamaoncol.2018.0991.
10.1001/jamaoncol.2018.0991
Research aim
To determine the diagnostic accuracy of a breath test for oesophagogastric cancer in a multicentre validation study.
Key findings
A 5-VOC breath model achieved AUC 0.85, sensitivity 80%, and specificity 81% for diagnosing oesophagogastric cancer across multiple centres.
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25
Markar SR, Brodie B, Chin ST, Romano A, Spalding D, Hanna GB. Profile of exhaled-breath volatile organic compounds to diagnose pancreatic cancer. Br J Surg. 2018 Oct;105(11):1493–1500. doi: 10.1002/bjs.10909.
10.1002/bjs.10909
Research aim
To quantify differences in exhaled breath VOCs between patients with pancreatic cancer and those without cancer.
Key findings
12 of 66 VOCs showed significant differences. Validation cohort AUC was 0.736–0.744, indicating breath VOCs can differentiate pancreatic cancer from non-cancer patients.
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24
Boshier PR, Fehervari M, Markar SR, Purkayastha S, Spanel P, Smith D, Hanna GB. Variation in Exhaled Acetone and Other Ketones in Patients Undergoing Bariatric Surgery: a Prospective Cross-sectional Study. Obes Surg. 2018 Aug;28(8):2439–2446. doi: 10.1007/s11695-018-3180-5.
10.1007/s11695-018-3180-5
Research aim
To determine the role of exhaled ketones as non-invasive markers of nutritional status in patients undergoing bariatric surgery.
Key findings
Exhaled acetone rose significantly post-surgery (410 to 1693 ppb). Heptanone and octanone decreased. Acetone correlated with excess body weight, neutrophil, and triglyceride levels.
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23
Antonowicz S, Hanna GB, Takats Z, Bodai Z. Pragmatic and rapid analysis of carbonyl, oxidation and chlorination nucleoside-adducts in murine tissue by UPLC-ESI-MS/MS. Talanta. 2018 Dec 1;190:436–442. doi: 10.1016/j.talanta.2018.08.029.
10.1016/j.talanta.2018.08.029
Research aim
To develop a rapid and sensitive UPLC method for quantification of nucleoside-adducts in DNA samples.
Key findings
A 6-minute UPLC method separated 7 nucleoside-adducts with sensitivity to 1 adduct per 10^8 normal bases, accuracy 81-119%, and throughput of up to 96 samples per day.
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22
Doran SLF, Romano A, Hanna GB. Optimisation of sampling parameters for standardised exhaled breath sampling. J Breath Res. 2017 Dec 6;12(1):016007. doi: 10.1088/1752-7163/aa8a46.
10.1088/1752-7163/aa8a46
Research aim
To investigate the impact of breath sampling parameters (exhaled fraction, sample volume, flow rate) on VOC detection for oesophagogastric cancer biomarkers.
Key findings
Larger breath volumes improved VOC detection. Exhaled fraction did not significantly affect biomarker concentrations. Higher flow rates reduced recovery of certain VOCs.
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21
Boshier PR, Knaggs AL, Hanna GB, Marczin N. Perioperative changes in exhaled nitric oxide during oesophagectomy. J Breath Res. 2017 Nov 7;11(4):047101. doi: 10.1088/1752-7163/aa8a11.
10.1088/1752-7163/aa8a11
Research aim
To measure perioperative exhaled nitric oxide (eNO) changes during oesophagectomy and assess the effect of surgical and anaesthetic intervention.
Key findings
Exhaled NO levels changed significantly during oesophagectomy. The study highlighted eNO as a potential biomarker for monitoring physiological changes in the perioperative setting.
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20
Pabary R, Huang J, Kumar S, Alton EW, Bush A, Hanna GB, Davies JC. Does mass spectrometric breath analysis detect Pseudomonas aeruginosa in cystic fibrosis? Eur Respir J. 2017 Mar 30;49(3):1601577. doi: 10.1183/13993003.01577-2016.
10.1183/13993003.01577-2016
Research aim
To determine whether breath VOC analysis by mass spectrometry can detect Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection in cystic fibrosis patients.
Key findings
The study assessed the feasibility of breath-based detection of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in CF, exploring VOC profiles associated with this common pathogen.
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19
Huddy JR, Weldon SM, Ralhan S, Painter T, Hanna GB, Kneebone R, Bello F. Sequential simulation (SqS) of clinical pathways: a tool for public and patient engagement (PPE) in breath test development. Surg Endosc. 2017 Feb;31(2):910–917. doi: 10.1007/s00464-016-5054-4.
10.1007/s00464-016-5054-4
Research aim
To evaluate sequential simulation (SqS) as a tool for public and patient engagement in developing a VOC breath test for oesophagogastric cancer.
Key findings
All participants felt able to contribute and supported the concept of a breath test. Five key themes emerged: cancer awareness, barriers to testing, device design, clinical pathway, and device placement.
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18
Antonowicz S, Kumar S, Wiggins T, Markar SR, Hanna GB. Diagnostic Metabolomic Blood Tests for Endoluminal Gastrointestinal Cancer – A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Ann Surg Oncol. 2016 Nov;23(13):4338–4347. doi: 10.1245/s10434-016-5434-1.
10.1245/s10434-016-5434-1
Research aim
To systematically review and meta-analyse diagnostic metabolomic blood tests for gastrointestinal cancer.
Key findings
The review identified blood metabolomic markers with diagnostic potential for gastrointestinal cancers, highlighting the need for standardised methodology and independent validation cohorts.
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17
Abbassi-Ghadi N, Jones EA, Gomez-Romero M, Golf O, Kumar S, Huang J, Kudo H, Goldin RD, Hanna GB, Takats Z. A Comparison of DESI-MS and LC-MS for the Lipidomic Profiling of Human Cancer Tissue. J Proteome Res. 2016 Jun 3;15(6):1793–801. doi: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.5b01151.
10.1021/acs.jproteome.5b01151
Research aim
To compare DESI-MS and LC-MS for lipidomic profiling of human cancer tissue.
Key findings
Both techniques showed complementary lipidomic coverage. DESI-MS offered spatial mapping while LC-MS provided higher sensitivity. Combined approaches may enhance cancer tissue characterisation.
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16
Abbassi-Ghadi N, Golf O, Kumar S, Antonowicz S, McKenzie JS, Huang J, Strittmatter N, Kudo H, Jones EA, Veselkov K, Goldin R, Takats Z, Hanna GB. De Novo Lipogenesis in Oesophago-Gastric Adenocarcinoma as Revealed by Mass Spectrometry Imaging. Br J Cancer. 2016 Apr 12;114(8):899–908. doi: 10.1038/bjc.2016.72.
10.1038/bjc.2016.72
Research aim
To investigate de novo lipogenesis in oesophagogastric adenocarcinoma using DESI mass spectrometry imaging.
Key findings
DESI-MSI revealed elevated lipogenic activity in oesophagogastric adenocarcinoma. Specific lipid species were enriched in cancer tissue, supporting the role of altered lipid metabolism in cancer progression.
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15
Wiggins T, Kumar S, Markar SR, Antonowicz S, Hanna GB. Tyrosine, phenylalanine, and tryptophan in gastroesophageal malignancy: a systematic review. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2015 Dec;24(12):1–8. doi: 10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-15-0910.
10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-15-0910
Research aim
To systematically review the diagnostic potential of tyrosine, phenylalanine, and tryptophan in gastroesophageal malignancy.
Key findings
Elevated aromatic amino acid levels were found in gastroesophageal malignancy across multiple sample types. These metabolites show promise as biomarkers but require validation in prospective cohorts.
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14
Markar SR, Wiggins T, Kumar S, Hanna GB. Exhaled breath analysis for the diagnosis and assessment of endoluminal gastrointestinal diseases. J Clin Gastroenterol. 2015 Jan;49(1):1–8. doi: 10.1097/MCG.0000000000000247.
10.1097/MCG.0000000000000247
Research aim
To review exhaled breath VOC analysis for diagnosis and monitoring of endoluminal gastrointestinal diseases.
Key findings
Exhaled breath analysis shows potential for non-invasive diagnosis of oesophageal, gastric, and colorectal cancers. Standardisation of methods and large validation studies are essential next steps.
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13
Kumar S, Huang J, Abbassi-Ghadi N, Mackenzie HA, Veselkov KA, Hoare JM, Lovat LB, Španěl P, Smith D, Hanna GB. Mass Spectrometric Analysis of Exhaled Breath for the Identification of Volatile Organic Compound Biomarkers in Esophageal and Gastric Adenocarcinoma. Ann Surg. 2015 Nov;262(6):981–990. doi: 10.1097/SLA.0000000000001101.
10.1097/SLA.0000000000001101
Research aim
To identify exhaled VOC biomarkers for oesophageal and gastric adenocarcinoma using mass spectrometry.
Key findings
Specific VOC profiles distinguished oesophageal and gastric adenocarcinoma from controls with high sensitivity and specificity, supporting the potential of breath analysis for upper gastrointestinal cancer diagnosis.
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12
Hicks LC, Huang J, Kumar S, Powles ST, Orchard TR, Hanna GB, Williams HR. Analysis of Exhaled Breath Volatile Organic Compounds in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Pilot Study. J Crohns Colitis. 2015 Sep;9(9):731–7. doi: 10.1093/ecco-jcc/jjv103.
10.1093/ecco-jcc/jjv103
Research aim
To investigate exhaled breath VOC profiles in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) as a potential non-invasive diagnostic tool.
Key findings
Distinct VOC profiles were identified in IBD patients compared to controls. The pilot study supported the feasibility of breath analysis for non-invasive monitoring of IBD activity.
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11
Chadwick G, Groene O, Riley S, Hardwick R, Crosby T, Hoare J, Hanna GB, Greenaway K, Cromwell DA. Gastric Cancers Missed During Endoscopy in England. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2015 Aug;13(8):1264–70.e1. doi: 10.1016/j.cgh.2014.11.028.
10.1016/j.cgh.2014.11.028
Research aim
To investigate the frequency and clinical significance of gastric cancers missed during endoscopy in England.
Key findings
A significant proportion of gastric cancers were identified as missed during prior endoscopy. Factors including endoscopy quality and cancer location influenced miss rates, highlighting the need for improved diagnostic pathways.
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10
Boshier PR, Mistry V, Cushnir JR, Kon OM, Elkin SL, Curtis S, Marczin N, Hanna GB. Breath metabolite response to major upper gastrointestinal surgery. J Surg Res. 2014 Nov;192(1):90–9. doi: 10.1016/j.jss.2014.05.048.
10.1016/j.jss.2014.05.048
Research aim
To characterise breath metabolite changes in response to major upper gastrointestinal surgery.
Key findings
Major upper GI surgery induced significant changes in exhaled metabolite profiles, reflecting metabolic perturbations in the perioperative period with potential for non-invasive monitoring of recovery.
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9
Huang J, Kumar S, Hanna GB. Investigation of C3-C10 aldehydes in the exhaled breath of healthy subjects using selected ion flow tube-mass spectrometry (SIFT-MS). J Breath Res. 2014 Sep 12;8(3):037104. doi: 10.1088/1752-7163/8/3/037104.
10.1088/1752-7163/8/3/037104
Research aim
To characterise the normal range of C3-C10 aldehydes in exhaled breath of healthy subjects using SIFT-MS.
Key findings
Reference ranges for breath aldehydes in healthy subjects were established, providing a baseline for future disease-detection studies involving aldehyde VOC biomarkers.
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8
Chadwick G, Groene O, Hoare J, Hardwick RH, Riley S, Crosby TD, Hanna GB, Cromwell DA. A population-based, retrospective, cohort study of esophageal cancer missed at endoscopy. Endoscopy. 2014;46(7):553–60. doi: 10.1055/s-0034-1365351.
10.1055/s-0034-1365351
Research aim
To quantify oesophageal cancers missed at prior endoscopy in a population-based retrospective cohort.
Key findings
Around 11% of oesophageal cancers were preceded by a prior endoscopy within 3 years. Squamous cell carcinoma and tumours in the upper third were more likely to be missed.
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7
Abbassi-Ghadi N, Veselkov K, Kumar S, Huang J, Jones E, Strittmatter N, Kudo H, Goldin R, Takats Z, Hanna GB. Discrimination of lymph node metastasis in primary oesophago-gastric adenocarcinoma tissue using DESI-MS lipidomic profiling. Chem Commun (Camb). 2014 May 21;50(40):5274–7. doi: 10.1039/c3cc49255g.
10.1039/c3cc49255g
Research aim
To determine whether DESI-MS lipidomic profiling can discriminate lymph node metastasis in oesophagogastric adenocarcinoma tissue.
Key findings
DESI-MS lipidomic profiles distinguished primary tumour tissue with lymph node metastasis from those without, suggesting a potential role for intraoperative staging of oesophagogastric cancer.
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6
Kumar S, Huang J, Abbassi-Ghadi N, Španěl P, Smith D, Hanna GB. Selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry analysis of exhaled breath for volatile organic compound profiling of esophago-gastric cancer. Anal Chem. 2013 Jun 18;85(12):6121–8. doi: 10.1021/ac4010309.
10.1021/ac4010309
Research aim
To profile exhaled breath VOCs in oesophagogastric cancer patients using SIFT-MS.
Key findings
A multi-VOC breath model distinguished oesophagogastric cancer patients from controls with high diagnostic accuracy, establishing the foundation for subsequent large multicentre validation studies.
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5
Boshier PR, Hanna GB, Marczin N. Exhaled nitric oxide as biomarker of acute lung injury: an unfulfilled promise? J Breath Res. 2013 Mar;7(1):017108. doi: 10.1088/1752-7163/7/1/017108.
10.1088/1752-7163/7/1/017108
Research aim
To assess the evidence for exhaled nitric oxide as a biomarker of acute lung injury.
Key findings
Despite early promise, eNO has not consistently proven reliable for monitoring or predicting outcomes in acute lung injury. The review identified key methodological and biological challenges.
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4
Abbassi-Ghadi N, Kumar S, Huang J, Goldin R, Takats Z, Hanna GB. Metabolomic profiling of oesophago-gastric cancer: a systematic review. Eur J Cancer. 2013 Nov;49(17):3669–83. doi: 10.1016/j.ejca.2013.07.004.
10.1016/j.ejca.2013.07.004
Research aim
To systematically review metabolomic profiling of oesophagogastric cancer across different sample types.
Key findings
The review identified metabolomic markers in blood, urine, breath, and tissue with diagnostic potential for oesophagogastric cancer, emphasising the need for standardised methods and prospective validation.
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3
Kumar S, Huang J, Cushnir JR, Španěl P, Smith D, Hanna GB. Selected ion flow tube-MS analysis of headspace vapor from gastric content for the diagnosis of gastro-esophageal cancer. Anal Chem. 2012 Sep 18;84(18):9550–7. doi: 10.1021/ac302409b.
10.1021/ac302409b
Research aim
To investigate whether SIFT-MS analysis of headspace vapour from gastric content can diagnose gastro-oesophageal cancer.
Key findings
Specific VOC profiles in gastric headspace vapour distinguished cancer patients from controls, demonstrating the potential for endoluminal VOC sampling as a diagnostic approach.
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2
Boshier PR, Priest OH, Hanna GB, Marczin N. Influence of respiratory variables on the on-line detection of exhaled trace gases by PTR-MS. Thorax. 2012 Oct;67(10):917–9. doi: 10.1136/thoraxjnl-2012-201891.
10.1136/thoraxjnl-2012-201891
Research aim
To assess the influence of respiratory variables on the online detection of exhaled trace gases by PTR-MS.
Key findings
Respiratory variables including tidal volume, breathing frequency, and breath hold duration significantly influenced VOC concentrations, informing standardisation requirements for breath sampling protocols.
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1
Boshier PR, Cushnir JR, Mistry V, Knaggs A, Španěl P, Smith D, Hanna GB. On-line, real time monitoring of exhaled trace gases by SIFT-MS in the perioperative setting: a feasibility study. Analyst. 2011;136(16):3233–7. doi: 10.1039/c1an15329e.
10.1039/c1an15329e
Research aim
To assess the feasibility of online, real-time monitoring of exhaled trace gases by SIFT-MS in the perioperative setting.
Key findings
Online SIFT-MS successfully monitored exhaled trace gases in real time during surgery, demonstrating feasibility for perioperative monitoring and opening avenues for intraoperative breath analysis.
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