A graphene oxide fluorescent sensing platform for sensitive and specific detecting biomarker of radiation-resistant nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Recent advances in nanomaterials-based optical sensors for detection of various biomarkers (inorganic species, organic and biomolecules)

This review briefly emphasizes the different detection approaches (electrochemical sensors, chemiluminescence, surface-enhanced Raman scattering), functional nanostructure materials (quantum dots, metal nanoparticles, metal nanoclusters, magnetic nanomaterials, metal oxide nanoparticles, polymer-based nanomaterials, and carbonaceous nanomaterials) and detection mechanisms. Further, this review emphasis on the integration of functional nanomaterials with optical spectroscopic techniques for the identification of various biomarkers (nucleic acids, glucose, uric acid, oxytocin, dopamine, ascorbic acid, bilirubin, spermine, serotonin, thiocyanate, Pb²⁺ , Cu²⁺ , Hg²⁺ , F^- , peptides, and cancer biomarkers (mucin 1, prostate specific antigen, carcinoembryonic antigen, CA15-3, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2, C-reactive protein, and interleukin-6). Analytical characteristics of nanomaterials-based optical sensors are summarized in Tables, providing the insights of nanomaterials-based optical sensors for biomarkers detection. Finally, the opportunities and challenges of nanomaterials-based optical analytical approaches for the detection of various biomarkers (inorganic, organic, biomolecules, peptides and proteins) are discussed.

Graphene Oxide Biosensors Based on Hybridization Chain Reaction Signal Amplification for Detecting Biomarkers of Radiation-Resistant Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma and Imaging in Living Cells

Since microRNA-205 (miRNA-205) is a predictive biomarker for antiradiation of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), quantitative detection of miRNA-205 is important for developing personalized strategies for the treatment of NPC. In this investigation, based on the graphene oxide (GO) sensor and hybridization chain reaction (HCR) for fluorescence signal amplification, a highly sensitive and selective detection method for miRNA-205 was designed. A target-recycling mechanism is employed, where a single miRNA-205 target triggers the signal amplification of many DNA signal probes. The biosensor shows the ability to analyze miRNA-205 in solution, and it can detect miRNA-205 at concentrations as low as 311.96 pM. Furthermore, the method is specific in that it distinguishes between a target miRNA and a sequence with single-, double-, and three-base mismatches, as well as other miRNAs. Considering its simplicity and superior sensitivity, it was also verified in 1‰ serum with a detection limit of 111.65 pM. Importantly, the method successfully demonstrated that miRNA-205 could be imaged in living cells, which provided the possibility of localizing target molecules in live cell imaging applications. This method has great clinical application potential in the determination of miRNA-205, a biomarker for radiation-resistant NPC.

Simultaneous Delivery of antimiR-21 and Doxorubicin by Graphene Oxide for Reducing Toxicity in Cancer Therapy

Graphene oxide (GO) has been studied by many researchers for its potential drug-delivery value. In order to reduce the side effects of anticancer drugs by decreasing the dosage and maintain the therapeutic effects, a dual drug-delivery system that used GO as a carrier and simultaneously loaded with antitumor drugs and antimir-21 was rationally designed for the cooperative treatment of tumors. Results obtained from our studies have found that MDA-MB-231 cells were inhibited in low Dox dose. The outcomes of confocal microscopy indicated that Dox and antimiR-21 could be released rapidly in cancer cells, which is good for killing cancer cells. In addition, qRT-PCR further demonstrated that miR-21 was silenced by antimiR-21. Consequently, GO has a great potential to codeliver chemotherapeutic drugs and gene drugs in cancer combination therapy for reducing toxicity.

Signal amplification method for miR-205 assay through combining graphene oxide with duplex-specific nuclease

Since microRNA-205 (miR-205) is a predictive biomarker for anti-radiation of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), quantitative detection of miR-205 is important for developing personalized strategies for the treatment of NPC. In this investigation, based on the graphene oxide sensor and duplex specific nuclease (DSN) for fluorescence signal amplification, a highly sensitive detection method for miR-205 was designed. A target-recycling mechanism is employed, where a single miR-205 target triggers the cleavage of many DNA signal probes. The method shows the ability to analyze miR-205 in solution, and it can detect miR-205 at concentrations as low as 132 pmol L⁻¹ with a linear range of 5–40 nmol L⁻¹. Furthermore, the method is specific in that it distinguishes between a target miRNA and a sequence with single base, double base and three base mismatches, as well as other miRNAs. Considering simplicity and excellent sensitivity/specificity, it is promising for applications in radioresistance studies as well as the early clinical diagnosis of NPC.

A signal amplified method for detecting a biomarker of radiation-resistant nasopharyngeal carcinoma using graphene oxide and duplex-specific nuclease was constructed.