The AVOCADO study: Augmentation of VOCs from the Tumour Lipidome
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Augmentation of Volatile Biomarkers of Oesophageal and Gastric Adenocarcinoma from the Tumour Lipidome
IRAS ID
301366
Contact name
George Hanna
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Imperial College London
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 5 days
Research summary
Fewer than 2 in every 10 patients diagnosed with oesophageal and gastric cancer (OGC) live longer than 5 years.
The breath of OGC patients is enriched with volatile chemicals (VCs) that indicate cancer. When measured in a breath test, it detects OGC 80 out of 100 times. The detection rate can be further improved by using a stimulant, such as a drink, that amplifies the production of tumour specific VCs, to increase their levels in breath. This is known as 'augmentation' and is our novel approach to improving the detection of OGC.
It is thought that OGC VCs are produced from lipid peroxidation of cancer cells and the tumour associated microbiome. If true, this production may be augmented with a stimulant drink that promotes this breakdown.
The aim of this basic science single centre study involving adult participants with OGC is to produce an improved breath test with superior ability to detect OGC by augmenting the production of VCs through lipid peroxidation.
This will be achieved through three interconnected phases. Phase 1 will identify the lipids in OGC tumours that produce VCs using mass spectrometry techniques. Phase 2 will use 'stable isotope experiments' in OGC patients to track the breakdown of lipids to VCs. In phase 3 patients will be given an optimised stimulant drink and their breath will be sampled before and after consumption. Patient feedback will be obtained that will heavily influence the design of the breath test.
This study will last 3 years with the recruitment of 80- 100 OGC patients in the secondary care setting.
With the augmented breath test, patients with vague symptoms can undergo a quick, non- invasive test, have samples analysed in an accurate manner and be subsequently stratified based on their risk of having OGC, leading to earlier OGC detection.REC name
London - West London & GTAC Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/LO/0575
Date of REC Opinion
7 Dec 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion