Detection and quantification of lung cancer biomarkers by a micro-analytical device using a single metal oxide-based gas sensor

•A micro-fabricated lung cancer biomarkers analyzer was successfully developed.•The selective detection of four lung cancer biomarkers was possible with a single gas sensor.•Zeolite DaY, a highly porous solid, was used to concentrate lung cancer biomarkers.•The micro-system exhibited high selectivity and low limit of detection. The analysis of exhaled volatile organic compounds (VOCs) related to lung cancer is a very promising way in medical diagnosis because it is non-invasive and much less expensive than traditional medical analysis used so far. In that sense, a silicon micro-analytical platform consisting of a micro-preconcentrator coupled to a silicon spiral gas chromatographic micro‐column was built, and a metal oxide-based gas sensor was used as a miniaturized gas detector. This micro-fabricated device was successfully tested to selectively detect low concentrations of VOCs considered as lung cancer biomarkers, within a few minutes even in presence of high concentrations of water vapor and carbon dioxide.