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Development of an Integrated Multi-channel Artificial Nose for Cancer Detection (UNos)

Development of an Integrated Multi-channel Artificial Nose for Cancer Detection (UNos)

Status
Completed
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT07419113
Acronym
UNOS
Enrollment
45
Registered
2026-02-18
Start date
2023-02-01
Completion date
2025-12-01
Last updated
2026-02-24

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Head and Neck Cancer

Keywords

head and neck cancer, medical device

Brief summary

This interventional diagnostic study evaluated a multi-channel artificial nose (UNos) medical device for analysis of exhaled breath in participants with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and healthy volunteers. Participants underwent a standardized breath sampling procedure, and exhaled air was analyzed using semi-selective sensor arrays to generate quantitative breath pattern signatures. The study evaluated the ability of the device to discriminate cancer participants from healthy controls based on sensor-derived breath profiles.

Detailed description

This prospective, non-randomized, interventional diagnostic study evaluated the performance of a multi-channel artificial nose (UNos) medical device for exhaled breath analysis in participants with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and in healthy volunteers. Participants were assigned to one of two parallel groups: Adults with histologically confirmed squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Healthy adult volunteers without known malignant disease. All participants underwent a standardized breath collection procedure according to the study protocol. Exhaled breath samples were collected into gas sampling bags under controlled conditions and subsequently analyzed using a multi-channel electronic nose system equipped with semi-selective chemical sensors designed to detect volatile organic compound-related signal patterns. The device generated quantitative sensor response values for each participant. These normalized sensor features were used for statistical classification modeling to distinguish cancer participants from healthy volunteers. Diagnostic performance was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, including calculation of area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, and specificity. The breath sampling and analysis procedure was non-invasive and did not influence clinical management. No therapeutic intervention was performed. Enrollment was completed with 45 participants.

Interventions

DEVICEArtificial or Electronic Nose (E-Nose) medical device

medical device detecting breathe-out molecules

Sponsors

Institute of Oncology Ljubljana
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
DIAGNOSTIC
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

* Healthy volunteers. * Non-smokers and smokers * Aged over 18 years. * The person must be able to understand and sign the consent form for participation in the clinical trial ("informed consent").

Exclusion criteria

* Throat or pharyngeal cancer that is not squamous cell carcinoma * Known malignant disease elsewhere in the body. * Previously treated malignant disease anywhere in the body, with the exception of non-melanoma skin cancer or cervical CIS * Diabetes. * Age under 18 years.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Area Under the Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve (AUC) for Cancer ClassificationAt baseline visitArea under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve calculated from the artificial nose device classification model distinguishing participants with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma from healthy volunteers.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Specificity of Artificial Nose Device for Cancer DetectionAt baseline visitSpecificity of the artificial nose classification model in identifying healthy volunteers.
Sensitivity of Artificial Nose Device for Cancer DetectionAt baseline visitSensitivity of the artificial nose classification model in identifying participants with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Countries

Slovenia

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 25, 2026