Method of detecting the presence of bronchogenic carcinoma by analysis of expired lung air

• US 4,772,559 A
• Filed: 03/31/1987
• Issued: 09/20/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 10/10/1985
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Monell Chemical Senses Center (Main Line Health System), University of Pennsylvania
• Original Assignee: Monell Chemical Senses Center (Main Line Health System), University of Pennsylvania
• Inventors: Daniele, Ronald, Kostelc, James G., Preti, George, Labows, John N.
• Primary Examiner(s): SPITZER, ROBERT H
• Application Number:
  US07/032,951
• Time in Patent Office: 539 Days
• Field of Search: 55/67, 128/716, 128/717, 128/719, 128/730, 436/64, 436/96, 436/111, 436/140, 436/161, 436/181, 436/813, 436/900
• US Class Current: 436/64
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/497 of gaseous biological material, e.g. breath
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 436/813 Cancer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 436/90 Breath testing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/145555 Hetero-N
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/173845 Amine and quaternary ammonium
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/212 Aromatic

Abstract

A novel method of detecting and diagnosing lung cancers by monitoring and analyzing expired lung air for the presence of selected aromatic amines, particularly aniline and ortho-toluidine, is provided.

Claims

1. A method for screening an individual to determine the probability of bronchogenic carcinoma in that individual comprising the steps of:

(a) collecting a sample of expired lung air from that individual; and

(b) presenting that sample to an indicator means which responds specifically to a diagnostically indicative compound in that sample, said indicative compound being selected from the group consisting of aniline and o-toluidine, whereby a positive response to said indicative compound indicates an increased probability of biochogenic carcinoma.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein step (b) comprises providing an indicator means responsive to aniline.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein said indicator means also respond quantitatively.

4. The method of claim 3 which further comprises the steps of (c) repeating steps (a) and (b);

and (d) comparing the response from the later performed step (b) with the earlier performed step (b) to monitor a change in the disease state.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein step (b) comprises providing an indicator means responsive to o-toluidine.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein said indicator means also respond quantitatively.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein said indicator means also respond quantitatively to said indicative compound.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein said quantitative response is compared to normal control amounts, whereby a higher concentration of said compound is indicative of a higher probability of said carcinoma.

9. The method of claim 8 which further comprises the steps of (c) repeating steps (a) and (b);

and (d) comparing the response from the later performed step (b) with the earlier performed step (b) to monitor a change in the disease state.

10. The method of claim 7 which further comprises the steps of (c) repeating steps (a) and (b);

and (d) comparing the response from the later performed step (b) with the earlier performed step (b) to monitor a change in the disease state.