Evaluation of N-NOSE as a surveillance tool for recurrence in gastric and esophageal cancers: a prospective cohort study

Abstract Objective Early detection of recurrent gastric and esophageal cancers remains a critical challenge. Innovative and non-invasive cancer screening technologies, such as N-NOSE, can improve early detection. N-NOSE is a urine-based scent test that leverages the olfactory abilities of the nemato...

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Main Authors: Sayuri Iitaka, Akihiro Kuroda, Tomonori Narita, Hideyuki Hatakeyama, Masayo Morishita, Umbhorn Ungkulpasvich, Takaaki Hirotsu, Eric di Luccio, Koichi Yagi, Yasuyuki Seto
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2024-12-01
Series:BMC Cancer
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12885-024-13327-x
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Summary:Abstract Objective Early detection of recurrent gastric and esophageal cancers remains a critical challenge. Innovative and non-invasive cancer screening technologies, such as N-NOSE, can improve early detection. N-NOSE is a urine-based scent test that leverages the olfactory abilities of the nematode C. elegans. For the first time, this prospective study evaluates the efficacy of the N-NOSE chemotaxis index as a novel biomarker for postoperative surveillance and recurrence in patients with upper gastrointestinal cancers. Methods A two-year prospective cohort study was conducted at The University of Tokyo Hospital, involving 40 patients with gastric and esophageal cancers. Urine samples were collected pre- and postoperatively and analysed using the N-NOSE technique. Results In cases of recurrence with vascular invasion, the chemotaxis index at 100-fold urine dilution was significantly elevated compared to the non-recurrence group. Conclusion This study suggests the potential of N-NOSE as an effective follow-up tool for patients with upper gastrointestinal cancer, particularly those with vascular invasion. While N-NOSE has been validated to distinguish between cancer and non-cancer, and its performance compared to traditional markers has been proven, it has not been studied for recurrence. Our data highlights, for the first time, the capability of N-NOSE in the surveillance of cancer recurrence.
ISSN:1471-2407