A Simple Breath Test to Detect Liver Cancer and Monitor Liver Conditions

Launched by IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON · Mar 3, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The VOCAL2 study is exploring a new and simple breath test that could help detect liver cancer earlier and monitor liver conditions like cirrhosis. Liver cancer is often diagnosed too late for effective treatment, so finding a way to catch it sooner is very important. This test looks for tiny chemicals in your breath, called volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can indicate liver disease.

If you are an adult aged 18 or older with liver cancer, liver cirrhosis, or certain other liver conditions, you might be eligible to participate. During the study, you will provide a breath sample after fasting for six hours, answer a few health questions, and allow access to your medical records. The whole process takes about an hour at an NHS hospital. While there may not be direct health benefits for participants, the research could lead to important advancements in how liver cancer is detected. The study is safe, as taking a breath sample is non-invasive, meaning it doesn’t involve any needles or surgery. If you're interested or have questions, you can reach out via email or phone for more information.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Males and females
• • Adult participants ≥ 18 years old
• * Participants with either:
• • 1. Histologically or radiologically-confirmed\* hepatocellular carcinoma or cholangiocarcinoma (participants with liver cancer)
• • 2. Liver cirrhosis, confirmed on imaging or histology from biopsy (participants with benign liver disorders)
• • 3. Primary sclerosing cholangitis, confirmed on MRCP/ERCP or histology from biopsy (participants with benign liver disorders)
• • 4. Non-specific gastrointestinal symptoms, but a radiologically-normal liver (healthy controls)
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Active infection, or receiving immunosuppressive medications, within the preceding eight weeks
• • History of another cancer within the previous five years
• • Previous liver resection
• • Already received chemotherapy, radiotherapy or surgery for their liver cancer
• • Comorbidities preventing breath collection
• • Pregnant women (checked verbally with participant).
• • Unable to provide informed written consent