Chemoresistive gas sensors for detection of colorectal cancer biomarkers.

Nanotechnology has considerable promise for the detection, staging and treatment of cancer. Medical studies show that tumor growth is accompanied by protein changes that may lead to the peroxidation of the cell membrane with consequent emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) by breath or intestinal gases that should be seen as biomarkers for colorectal cancer (CRC). The analysis of VOCs represents a non-invasive and potentially inexpensive medical diagnostics. An array of chemoresistive gas sensors based on screen-printed metal oxide semiconducting films has been selected to discriminate gases of oncological interest, as 1-iodononane and benzene compounds, from those of interference in the gut, as methane and nitric oxide.