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New Study: N-NOSE® Detects Pancreatic Cancer Recurrence with High Accuracy

Groundbreaking Research: N-NOSE® and Pancreatic Cancer Recurrence Detection

In a major milestone for cancer diagnostics, HIROTSU Bioscience Corporation has announced that their innovative nematode risk assessment tool, N-NOSE®, has successfully proven its capability to detect micro metastatic recurrences in pancreatic cancer. This study, published on December 29, 2025, in the international journal "BMC Surgery," emphasizes the urgent need for effective post-surgical monitoring given the high recurrence rates associated with pancreatic cancer.

The Significance of the Study

Pancreatic cancer is recognized as one of the deadliest malignancies globally. Alarmingly, statistics project that it will rank as the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in Western nations within the next decade. In Japan, it currently stands as the fourth most common cause of cancer-related mortality. With the aging population, the incidence of this devastating disease is anticipated to rise. While surgical resection is considered the only curative treatment, more than half of the patients experience relapse within just twelve months of surgery.

Given these stark realities, the clinical research aimed to establish how effectively N-NOSE® can predict the risk of recurrence in resectable pancreatic cancer.

Study Details

The research involved a cohort of 24 patients who had undergone curative resection surgery for pancreatic cancer. Among them, 13 were in the recurrence group, and 11 were in the non-recurrence group. The evaluation focused on the prognostic performance of N-NOSE®, utilizing urine samples to determine outcomes.

- High Positive Rate: Out of the 24 participants, 20 (83.3%) tested positive for N-NOSE® prior to commencing treatment. Notably, all 13 patients who later experienced a recurrence were N-NOSE® positive at the start of their treatment.
- Identification of Independent Risk Factors: Through both univariate and multivariate analyses (using logistic regression models), significant correlations were found regarding postoperative recurrence risk factors: 1) elevated pre-operative PLR (p=0.04), 2) presence of pathological lymph node metastasis (p=0.04), and 3) positive N-NOSE® result prior to treatment (p=0.007). In multivariate analysis, only the pre-treatment N-NOSE® positivity proved to be an independent risk factor (p=0.03).

The findings suggest that both "positive N-NOSE® before treatment" and "postoperative increase in the pleomorphic index" are effective predictors of recurrence risk. The study concludes that N-NOSE® is particularly valuable for detecting micro metastatic recurrences due to its simplicity, non-invasive nature, repeatability, and affordable cost.

A Vision for the Future

N-NOSE® has been commercially available since January 2020 and has already been utilized by over 850,000 individuals. The research method utilizing nematodes to detect odors related to cancer has been documented in various academic papers from institutions in the United States, Italy, and Slovakia. HIROTSU Bioscience aims to disseminate the scientific and medical validity of this pioneering technology through extensive clinical research. They envision a society where early cancer detection leads to improved outcomes, utilizing the remarkable olfactory capabilities of nematodes to address pressing societal challenges, particularly given the alarming statistics that predict a one-in-two risk of cancer incidence.

Company Overview

Founded in August 2016, HIROTSU Bioscience Corporation is dedicated to the research, development, and commercialization of unique testing technologies leveraging the innate abilities of organisms to protect the health and future security of the public. Their commitment to extending healthy lifespans in an era where the average lifespan reaches a century is evident in their groundbreaking innovations in cancer risk screening.

- Location: 22nd Floor, New Otani Garden Court, 4-1 Kioicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
- CEO: Takahiro Hirotsu
- Website: HIROTSU Bioscience

About N-NOSE®

N-NOSE® employs the exceptional sense of smell of the C. elegans nematode to accurately detect cancer-specific odors present in human urine. This method allows for a simple, inexpensive, and high-precision means of assessing a wide range of early cancer risks through a straightforward urine test.