CeruLabs
The Science

How chemistry revealswhat blood can't.

Built on peer-reviewed research published in Scientific Reports (Nature) and validated through clinical studies with 100% discrimination accuracy.

Published Research

Two studies. One foundation.

Rigorous, peer-reviewed scientific work — not pre-clinical hand-waving.

2019

Study

Cerumenogram: A New Frontier in Cancer Diagnosis in Humans

Scientific Reports (Nature) · PMID 31409861

  • 27 volatile organic compounds identified as biomarkers
  • 100% discrimination between cancer and control groups
  • GA-PLS methodology validated with 10-fold cross-validation
  • Foundation for non-invasive metabolic screening
View on PubMed
2025

Study

Cerumenogram for Metabolic Diagnosis of Precancer, Cancer, and Remission

Scientific Reports (Nature) · PMID 40263376

  • Precancerous metabolic signatures detected
  • Distinction between active disease and remission
  • Y-OR vs N-OR probabilistic classification validated
  • Cross-confirmed with PET/CT imaging and histopathology
View on PubMed
The 27 Biomarkers

The compounds that tell the story.

Selected by Genetic Algorithm-Partial Least Squares from 158 detected compounds — these 27 VOCs form the metabolic fingerprint.

Ketones

3compounds

Energy metabolism markers indicating cellular respiration patterns

Pyrans & Lactones

4compounds

Cyclic compounds from lipid oxidation and metabolic processes

Carboxylic Acids

3compounds

Long-chain fatty acids reflecting lipid metabolism

Alcohols & Others

17compounds

Alcohols, hydrocarbons, amines, esters, and organosulfur compounds

Complete biomarker panel
1

2,5-Dihydrofuran

Furanic

2

2-Butanone

Ketone

3

2-Methyl-3-buten-2-ol

Alcohol

4

3-Methylhexane

Hydrocarbon

5

2-Pentanone

Ketone

6

1-Methylcyclooctene

Hydrocarbon

7

6-Methyl-7-oxabicyclo[4.1.0]heptan-2-one

Epoxide

8

5-Ethyldihydro-2(3H)-furanone

Lactone

9

6-Methyltetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-one

Pyran

10

2,5-Dimethylaniline

Amine

11

1-Decanol

Alcohol

12

6-Propyltetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-one

Pyran

13

6-Butyltetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-one

Pyran

14

3-Phenylthiophene

Organosulfur

15

N-(3-Acetylphenyl)acetamide

Amide

16

2,3-Dimethylquinoline

Amine

17

1-Dodecanol

Alcohol

18

Dodecanoic acid

Carboxylic acid

19

1-(Decyloxy)decane

Ether

20

Eicosane

Hydrocarbon

21

6-Heptyltetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-one

Pyran

22

n-Tetradecanoic acid

Carboxylic acid

23

7-Octadecanone

Ketone

24

n-Octadecanoic acid

Carboxylic acid

25

n-Octadecanal

Aldehyde

26

Diisobutyl phthalate

Ester

27

Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate

Ester

Source · PMID 31409861 · Scientific Reports (Nature), 2019

Why cerumen?

Three advantages over blood.

Earwax offers properties that traditional fluid-based testing simply doesn't.

01

Non-Invasive

No needles, no blood draws, no pain. Collection takes under 30 seconds at home.

02

Stable Compound

VOC biomarkers remain stable for extended periods, unlike blood which requires immediate processing.

03

Accumulative Data

Cerumen accumulates over weeks, providing a longer-term metabolic picture rather than a single snapshot.

Methodology

Validated GC-MS analysis.

Headspace gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, classified by GA-PLS.

Sample Analysis

  • Headspace incubation: 160°C for 60 minutes
  • Internal standard: 3-methylcyclohexanone
  • Peak threshold: Area/Height ratio > 3
  • Identification via NIST17 spectral library

Classification Model

  • GA-PLS (Genetic Algorithm + Partial Least Squares)
  • 10-fold cross-validation with 10 repetitions
  • Binary encoding (VOC presence/absence)
  • Probabilistic scoring (PLS index)
Go Deeper

Deep-dive research articles.

Full breakdowns of the science, written for readers who want every detail.

The 2019 Breakthrough Study

12 min

2025 Precancer & Remission Study

15 min

The 27 VOC Biomarkers Explained

10 min

CeruLabs is a wellness screening tool and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Discuss results with a healthcare provider. Research cited is for educational purposes.