Metabolic changes associated with IPF and interstitial lung abnormality (ILA) may lead to the production of unique, volatile, organic compounds (VOCs) detectable in breath. The aim of this study was to identify a diagnostic signature for early detection of PF by measuring compounds present in exhaled breath from patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD) and their relatives. 

Exhaled breath samples were collected at Brigham and Women’s Hospital using the Owlstone ReCIVA. Of the 129 distinct molecular features detected, three appeared to be predictors of IPF. Based on these results, it was predicted that some ILD subjects were more likely to have IPF than others, however, follow-up diagnosis is required for confirmation. 

The lead investigator for the study was Ivan Rosas, MD, who serves as Professor and Section Chief at Baylor College of Medicine. Jose Martinez Manzano, MD, was responsible for patient recruitment and sample collection. He works in Pulmonary and Critical Care Division at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. 

A poster presentation entitled Breath Biopsy® Biomarkers for IPF” was presented at the Breath Biopsy Conference in October 2021. The poster can be found in the Publications section of this website or you can click here.