Exhaled breath condensate identifies metabolic dysregulation in patients with radiation-induced lung injury

We report that exhaled breath condensate (EBC) identifies cellular metabolic dysregulation in patients with radiation-induced lung injury. In this pilot study, untargeted metabolomics revealed a striking metabolic signature in EBC from patients with radiation-induced lung fibrosis compared to patients with lung cancer, at-risk smokers, and healthy volunteers. Patients with radiation-induced fibrosis exhibit specific changes in tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle energy metabolism that may be required to support the increased energy demands of fibroproliferation.