Blow into this tube: a simple breath test might spot liver disease early
NCT ID NCT04620538
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study looked at whether a breath test could help detect liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, or liver cancer. Researchers collected breath samples from 56 patients with known or suspected liver disease and analyzed them for specific chemical markers. The goal was to see if the test could accurately tell apart different stages of liver disease without needing a needle or scan.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- breath analysis (volatile organic compounds)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this breath test could offer a simple, non-invasive way to detect serious liver diseases early, potentially replacing more invasive procedures.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, completed study with 56 participants. The test's accuracy is still being evaluated, and it may not be reliable enough for widespread use without further validation.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Participants
-
56 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
-
Apr 2021
- Finished
-
Mar 2026
- Lead sponsor
-
Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
Who is studied
Patients will be identified and recruited from Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust inpatient admissions, routine outpatient hepatobiliary clinics, the radiology departments (e.g. for patients undergoing liver biopsy or imaging of their liver) and endoscopy units (e.g. liver disease patients undergoing endoscopic surveillance for varices). Patients with hepatocellular carcinoma may also be recruited from oncology outpatient clinics.
- Ages
-
18 to 90 years
- Sex
-
Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Patients seen in secondary care with suspected or confirmed liver / pancreatic disease or hepatocellular carcinoma / pancreatic cancer * Patients able to understand and retain the information provided, thereby being able to give informed consent for inclusion in this study Exclusion Criteria: * Patients who lack capacity or unable to provide informed consent. * Any patient outside the established age range (18-90years). * Patients unable to fast.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Imperial College Healthcare Trust
London, W2 1NY, United Kingdom
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