Breath sniffing device may predict cancer drug success

NCT ID NCT04146064

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study tested whether a simple breath test can predict if cancer patients will respond to immunotherapy drugs. Researchers used an electronic nose device to analyze breath samples from 190 patients with lung, melanoma, kidney, bladder, or head and neck cancers. The goal is to develop a non-invasive, inexpensive way to select the right treatment for each patient.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

breathprint analysis using an electronic nose device

What this could lead to

If successful, this breath test could help doctors quickly and cheaply identify which patients are likely to benefit from immunotherapy, avoiding ineffective treatments.

What could go wrong

This is an early-stage, observational study. The breath test may not prove accurate enough for routine use, and results may not apply to all cancer types or treatments.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

head and neck cancer Head and Neck Neoplasms kidney cancer melanoma non-small cell lung carcinoma transitional cell carcinoma urothelial carcinoma

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Princess Margaret Cancer Centre

    Toronto, Ontario, M5G 2M9, Canada