SpotitEarly, an Israeli startup, is pioneering an at-home breath test for the early detection of breast, prostate, lung, and colon cancers, potentially revolutionizing cancer screening. The test combines the scent-sniffing capabilities of beagles with artificial intelligence (AI) technology. With U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval potentially just a year away, this innovation could significantly impact the early diagnosis of cancers that account for over half of all newly diagnosed cases.
Combining Canine Scent Detection with AI
Dr. J. Leonard Lichtenfeld, formerly deputy chief medical officer for the American Cancer Society (ACS) and now SpotitEarly’s chief medical officer, notes the failures of past attempts to use dogs for cancer detection. SpotitEarly has refined the process by integrating canine scent detection with advanced technologies and algorithms. "SpotitEarly has gone a step beyond what others have done to demonstrate that this was a viable option," says Dr. Lichtenfeld.
Clinical Validation and Accuracy
An initial clinical study involving 1,400 patients in Israel showed a 94.8% accuracy rate. Shlomi Madar, SpotitEarly’s vice president of business development, North America, mentioned a forthcoming study with the University of Pennsylvania to validate these initial findings.
Test Administration and Future Plans
The SpotitEarly test will be prescribed by physicians, with patients either picking up the kit or receiving it via home delivery. Patients breathe into a mask for two minutes, and the samples are analyzed in a lab with a quick turnaround. SpotitEarly plans to open a U.S.-based lab in 2026 and has co-submitted a grant with a health system for this purpose. The commercialization plan is to start with breast cancer and expand to the other three cancers, with the potential for a single breath test for all four.
The Role of Beagles and AI
SpotitEarly employs beagles trained to sniff specific cancers, using sensors to measure their behavior and physiological responses, such as pupil dilation and heart rate. According to Madar, "We collect hundreds of signals per second in real time." The AI analyzes these signals to improve the accuracy of the test, distinguishing between true positives and true negatives.
Accessibility and Affordability
This test aims to provide an accessible and affordable cancer screening option. Dr. Lichtenfeld emphasizes that current at-home cancer screenings are mainly limited to colon cancer, such as Exact Sciences’ Cologuard. SpotitEarly offers a simple breath sample collection kit with a quick turnaround, which is unique in the field. Exact pricing details are not yet available, but the company aims to make the test affordable.
