Skin cancer sites are known to release odorous volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and these compounds can be collected and analysed to aid in the chemical profiling of skin cancers.
Our team developed a custom extraction device based on a modified solid phase microextraction (SPME) approach, to capture VOCs released from skin cancer sites.
Our VOC extraction technique enabled collection of a wide range of compounds. The technique was applied in a clinical study with skin cancer patients.
Patients donated a VOC sample from a skin cancer lesion, as well as a sample from an area of skin not affected by cancer as a control. Volunteers from the general population served as a separate control group.
The trial demonstrated that the newly developed SPME technique was simple to apply during routine patient appointments, and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) SPME was found to retain a wide variety of VOCs which remained stable for a minimum of 24 hours.
Analysis using GCMS revealed VOCs that were present in skin cancer lesions that may serve as diagnostic biomarkers. The research has developed a novel, non-invasive sampling approach for VOC collection from skin cancer patients in situ, and reveals potential biomarkers associated with skin cancers.
We are grateful for the support of About Face, The Skin Cancer Research Fund, The Valentine Charitable Trust, and the Sir Samuel Scott of Yews Trust for their support of our on-going research in this area.