Volatile Organic Compounds in Exhaled Breath as Biomarkers of Lung Cancer: Advances and Potential Problems

Abstract

We present a review of the main results achieved by various research groups in the studies on identifying biomarkers of lung cancer among volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in exhaled breath. Known methods for determining VOCs in exhaled breath, sampling and storing samples, preconcentrating VOCs, and statistical processing of the obtained data are considered; their advantages and disadvantages are discussed. A list of the main biomarkers of lung cancer is summarized. The main problems hindering the introduction of the analysis of exhaled breath into clinical practice are discussed.