Monitoring of melanoma released volatile compounds by a gas sensors array: From in vitro to in vivo experiments

The analysis of the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released by bio-systems represents a promising approach for the diagnosis of human diseases including cancers. Experimental results suggested the possibility to detect tumors in vivo through the analysis of released VOCs from different body compartments, such as breath and skin. This paper illustrates the results obtained measuring VOCs mixtures released by well-characterized tumor cells derived from human malignancies by using an array of broadly selective chemical sensors. The patterns of VOCs emitted by two different melanoma tumorigenic cell lines transplanted ad hoc in a mice model were investigated. The recorded sensors signals are compatible with the existence of a distinguishable tumor specific pattern of VOCs evolving during the exponential phase of tumor growth.