Electrochemical sensor for leukemia drug imatinib determination in urine by adsorptive striping square wave voltammetry using modified screen-printed electrodes

A novel fluorescent probe based imprinted polymer-coated magnetite for the detection of imatinib leukemia anti-cancer drug traces in human plasma samples

Myeloid leukemia is a chronic cancer, which associated with abnormal BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase activity. Imatinib (IMB) acts as a tyrosine kinase inhibitor and averts tumor growth in cancer cells by controlling cell division, so it is urgent to develop an effective assay to detect and monitor its IMB concentration. Therefore, an innovative fluorescent biomimetic sensor is a promising sensing material that constructed for the efficient recognition of IMB and displays excellent selectivity and sensitivity stemming from molecularly imprinted polymer@Fe3O4 (MIP@Fe3O4). The detection strategy depends on the recognition of IMB molecules at the imprinted sites in the presence of coexisting molecules, which are then transferred to the fluorescence signal. The synthesized MIP@Fe3O4 was characterized using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Furthermore, computational studies of the band gap (EHOMO-ELUMO) of the monomers, IMB, and their complexes were performed. These results confirmed that the copolymer is the most appropriate and has high stability (Binding energy; 0.004 x 10-19 KJ) and low reactivity. A comprehensive linear response over IMB concentrations from 5 × 10-6 mol/L to 8 × 10-4 mol/L with a low detection limit of 9.3 × 10-7 mol/L was achieved. Furthermore, the proposed technique displayed long-term stability (over 2 months), high intermediate precision (RSD<2.1 %), good reproducibility (RSD <1.9 %), and outstanding selectivity toward IMB over analogous molecules with similar chemical and spatial structure (no interference by 100 to 150-fold of the competitors). Owing to these merits, the proposed fluorescence sensor was utilized to detect IMB in drug tablets and human plasma, and satisfactory results (99.3-100.4 %) were obtained. Thus, the synthesized fluorescence sensor is a promising platform for IMB sensing in various applications.

Analytical control of imatinib in bioanalytical samples using graphene quantum dots sensing

An analytical method for the determination of imatinib (IMA, the primary treatment for chronic myeloid leukemia), based on the fluorescence properties of graphene quantum dots (GQDs), is reported in this work. The method is addressed to the analytical control of IMA in biological and pharmaceutical samples, due to the present interest in the control of the doses of this anticancer drug, as well as the therapeutic monitoring. The whole method involves the use of a solid-phase extraction (SPE) procedure, followed by an evaporation step, for the treatment of biological samples. For that, tC18 sorbent cartridges were used. After the sample treatment, the solution containing the analyte was mixed with an aqueous solution of GQDs at pH 7.2, and the fluorescent quenching of GQDs was measured. IMA was determined in the 10-250 µg L-1 range, with a limit of detection of 21 µg L-1 and a precision of 1.5% as relative standard deviation, measured in terms of reproducibility. The recovery for biological samples was in the 84-113% range.

Pretreatment and analysis techniques development of TKIs in biological samples for pharmacokinetic studies and therapeutic drug monitoring

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have emerged as the first-line small molecule drugs in many cancer therapies, exerting their effects by impeding aberrant cell growth and proliferation through the modulation of tyrosine kinase-mediated signaling pathways. However, there exists a substantial inter-individual variability in the concentrations of certain TKIs and their metabolites, which may render patients with compromised immune function susceptible to diverse infections despite receiving theoretically efficacious anticancer treatments, alongside other potential side effects or adverse reactions. Therefore, an urgent need exists for an up-to-date review concerning the biological matrices relevant to bioanalysis and the sampling methods, clinical pharmacokinetics, and therapeutic drug monitoring of different TKIs. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the advancements in pretreatment methods, such as protein precipitation (PPT), liquid-liquid extraction (LLE), solid-phase extraction (SPE), micro-SPE (μ-SPE), magnetic SPE (MSPE), and vortex-assisted dispersive SPE (VA-DSPE) achieved since 2017. It also highlights the latest analysis techniques such as newly developed high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) methods, capillary electrophoresis (CE), gas chromatography (GC), supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) procedures, surface plasmon resonance (SPR) assays as well as novel nanoprobes-based biosensing techniques. In addition, a comparison is made between the advantages and disadvantages of different approaches while presenting critical challenges and prospects in pharmacokinetic studies and therapeutic drug monitoring.

Developing an exclusive sensor based on molecularly imprinted polymer/Multi-walled carbon nanotubes/Fe3O4@Au nanocomposite for the selective determination of an anti-cancer drug imatinib

Determination of pharmaceuticals especially anticancer drugs is one of the important issues in environmental and medical investigation and creating good information about human health. The presence sturdy introducing an electroanalytical sensor based on molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP)/Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)/Au@Fe3O4 nanoparticles modified carbon paste electrode (PE) to determine imatinib (IMA). The MIP/MWCNTs/Au@Fe3O4/PE showed catalytic activity and also a sensitive strategy to sensing IMA in the concentration range 1-1000 μM with a limit of detection of 0.013 μM. The MIP/MWCNTs/Au@Fe3O4/PE has shown interesting results in the analysis of IMA in real samples, and the interference investigations results show the high selectivity of the MIP/MWCNTs/Au@Fe3O4/PE in the monitoring of IMA in complex fluids such as tablet and blood serum and results approved by F-test and t-test as statistical methods.

Sensitivity enhancement of a Cu (II) metal organic framework-acetylene black-based electrochemical sensor for ultrasensitive detection of imatinib in clinical samples

Imatinib (IMB), an anticancer drug, is extensively used for chemotherapy to improve the quality of life of cancer patients. The aim of therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) is to guide and evaluate the medicinal therapy, and then optimize the clinical effect of individual dosing regimens. In this work, a highly sensitive and selective electrochemical sensor based on glassy carbon electrode (GCE) modified with acetylene black (AB) and a Cu (II) metal organic framework (CuMOF) was developed to measure the concentration of IMB. CuMOF with preferable adsorbability and AB with excellent electrical conductivity functioned cooperatively to enhance the analytical determination of IMB. The modified electrodes were characterized using X-rays diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), ultraviolet and visible spectrophotometry (UV-vis), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), brunauer‒emmett‒teller (BET) and barrett‒joyner‒halenda (BJH) techniques. Analytical parameters such as the ratio of CuMOF to AB, dropping volumes, pH, scanning rate and accumulation time were investigated through cyclic voltammetry (CV). Under optimal conditions, the sensor exhibited an excellent electrocatalytic response for IMB detection, and two linear detection ranges were obatined of 2.5 nM-1.0 μM and 1.0-6.0 μM with a detection limit (DL) of 1.7 nM (S/N = 3). Finally, the good electroanalytical ability of CuMOF-AB/GCE sensor facilitated the successful determination of IMB in human serum samples. Due to its acceptable selectivity, repeatability and long-term stability, this sensor shows promising application prospects in the detection of IMB in clinical samples.

A Modified Electrochemical Sensor Based on N,S-Doped Carbon Dots/Carbon Nanotube-Poly(Amidoamine) Dendrimer Hybrids for Imatinib Mesylate Determination

Imatinib mesylate, an anticancer drug, is prescribed to treat gastrointestinal stromal tumors and chronic myelogenous leukemia. A hybrid nanocomposite of N,S-doped carbon dots/carbon nanotube-poly(amidoamine) dendrimer (N,S-CDs/CNTD) was successfully synthesized and used as a significant modifier to design a new and highly selective electrochemical sensor for the determination of imatinib mesylate. A rigorous study with electrochemical techniques, such as cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry, was performed to elucidate the electrocatalytic properties of the as-prepared nanocomposite and the preparation procedure of the modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE). A higher oxidation peak current was generated for the imatinib mesylate on a N,S-CDs/CNTD/GCE surface compared to the GCE and CNTD/GCE. The N,S-CDs/CNTD/GCE showed a linear relationship between the concentration and oxidation peak current of the imatinib mesylate in 0.01-100 μM, with a detection limit of 3 nM. Finally, the imatinib mesylate's quantification in blood-serum samples was successfully performed. The N,S-CDs/CNTD/GCE's reproducibility and stability were indeed excellent.

The development of electrochemical DNA biosensor based on poly-l-methionine and bimetallic AuPt nanoparticles coating: Picomolar detection of Imatinib and Erlotinib

We report on the preparation of a new and simple electrochemical DNA biosensor based on DNA/AuPt/p-L-Met coating on a screen-printed carbon electrode (SPE) and its use in the determination of the cancer therapy agents, Imatinib (IMA) and Erlotinib (ERL). Poly-l-methionine (p-L-Met), gold, and platinum nanoparticles (AuPt) were successfully coated by one-step electrodeposition onto the SPE from a solution containing L-Met, HAuCl_4, and H₂PtCl₆. The immobilization of DNA was achieved by drop-casting on the surface of the modified electrode. Cyclic Voltammetry (CV), Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS), Field-Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM), Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX), and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) were used to investigate the morphology, the structure, and the electrochemical performance of the sensor. Experimental factors influencing the coating and DNA immobilization processes were optimized. The peak currents originating from guanine (G) and adenine (A) oxidation of ds-DNA were used as signals to quantify IMA and ERL in the concentration range 2.33-80 nM and 0.032-1.0 nM with the LODs of 0.18 nM and 0.009 nM, respectively. The biosensor developed was suitable for determining IMA and ERL in human serum and pharmaceutical samples.

γ-Cyclodextrin-graphene quantum dots-chitosan modified screen-printed electrode for sensing of fluoroquinolones

An innovative electrochemical approach based on screen-printed carbon electrodes (SPCEs) modified with graphene quantum dots (GQDs) functionalized with γ-cyclodextrin (γ-CD) and assembled to chitosan (CHI) is designed for the assessment of the total content of fluoroquinolones (FQs) in animal source products. For the design of the bionanocomposite, carboxylated graphene quantum dots synthesized from uric acid as precursor were functionalized with γ-CD using succinic acid as a linker. Physic-chemical and nanostructural characterization of the ensuing nanoparticles was performed by high-resolution transmission scanning microscopy, dynamic light scattering, Z potential measurement, Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. Electrochemical properties of assembled bionanocomposite like potential difference, kinetic electronic transfer constant and electroactive area among other parameters were assessed by cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry using potassium ferricyanide as redox probe. The oxidation behaviour of four representative quinolones with distinctive structures was studied, obtaining in all cases the same number of involved e^- (2) and H⁺ (2) in their oxidation. These results led us to propose a single and consistent oxidation mechanism for all the checked analytes. The γ-CD-GQDs-CHI/SPCE sensor displayed a boosted electroanalytical performance in terms of linear range (4-250 µM), sensibility (LOD = 1.2 µM) and selectivity. This electrochemical strategy allowed the determination of FQs total amount in complex processed food like broths, bouillon cubes and milkshakes at three concentration levels (150, 75 and 37.5 µM) for both equimolar and different ratio FQs mixtures with recovery values ranging from 90 to 106%.

Electrochemistry as a Powerful Tool for Investigations of Antineoplastic Agents: A Comprehensive Review

Cancer is most frequently treated with antineoplastic agents (ANAs) that are hazardous to patients undergoing chemotherapy and the healthcare workers who handle ANAs in the course of their duties. All aspects related to hazardous oncological drugs illustrate that the monitoring of ANAs is essential to minimize the risks associated with these drugs. Among all analytical techniques used to test ANAs, electrochemistry holds an important position. This review, for the first time, comprehensively describes the progress done in electrochemistry of ANAs by means of a variety of bare or modified (bio)sensors over the last four decades (in the period of 1982-2021). Attention is paid not only to the development of electrochemical sensing protocols of ANAs in various biological, environmental, and pharmaceutical matrices but also to achievements of electrochemical techniques in the examination of the interactions of ANAs with deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), carcinogenic cells, biomimetic membranes, peptides, and enzymes. Other aspects, including the enantiopurity studies, differentiation between single-stranded and double-stranded DNA without using any label or tag, studies on ANAs degradation, and their pharmacokinetics, by means of electrochemical techniques are also commented. Finally, concluding remarks that underline the existence of a significant niche for the basic electrochemical research that should be filled in the future are presented.

Turn-off fluorescence of nitrogen and sulfur carbon quantum dots as effective fluorescent probes for determination of imatinib. Application to biological fluids

Nitrogen and sulfur carbon quantum dots(N,S-CQDs) as effective fluorescent nanoprobes were synthesized through one-step-hydrothermal method using thiosemicarbazide (as nitrogen and sulfur source) and citric acid (as carbon source). The highly fluorescent N,S-CQDs were subjected to various characterization techniques. The fluorescence of the synthesized N,S-CQDs is characterized by maximum fluorescence emission at 415 nm after excitation at 345 nm and a high quantum yield of 0.58. The native N,S-CQDs fluorescence is quantitatively quenched upon addition of imatinib (IMA), so they are used for its spectrofluorimetric determination in its pharmaceutical formulations and biological fluids. Under optimal conditions, N,S-CQDs exhibited a "turn-off" fluorescence response to IMA over the range of 1.0 to 15.0 µg/mL with a limit of quantification of 0.42 µg/mL and a lower detection limit of 0.14 µg/mL. Stern-Volmer equation was used to study the mechanism of quenching and it was found to occur through static quenching mechanism. The method was extended to the in-vitro determination of the drug in spiked human urine and plasma samples and the percent recoveries were satisfactory.

Metal-Organic Framework-Based Composites for the Detection and Monitoring of Pharmaceutical Compounds in Biological and Environmental Matrices

The production of synthetic drugs is considered a huge milestone in the healthcare sector, transforming the overall health, aging, and lifestyle of the general population. Due to the surge in production and consumption, pharmaceutical drugs have emerged as potential environmental pollutants that are toxic with low biodegradability. Traditional chromatographic techniques in practice are time-consuming and expensive, despite good precision. Alternatively, electroanalytical techniques are recently identified to be selective, rapid, sensitive, and easier for drug detection. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are known for their intrinsic porous nature, high surface area, and diversity in structural design that provides credible drug-sensing capacities. Long-term reusability and maintaining chemo-structural integrity are major challenges that are countered by ligand-metal combinations, optimization of synthetic conditions, functionalization, and direct MOFs growth over the electrode surface. Moreover, chemical instability and lower conductivities limited the mass commercialization of MOF-based materials in the fields of biosensing, imaging, drug release, therapeutics, and clinical diagnostics. This review is dedicated to analyzing the various combinations of MOFs used for electrochemical detection of pharmaceutical drugs, comprising antibiotics, analgesics, anticancer, antituberculosis, and veterinary drugs. Furthermore, the relationship between the composition, morphology and structural properties of MOFs with their detection capabilities for each drug species is elucidated.

A Novel Electrochemical Sensor Based on Reduced Graphene Oxide–TiO2 Nanocomposites with High Selectivity for the Determination of Hydroxychloroquine

A simply sensitive sensor based on a reduced graphene oxide–TiO₂ nanocomposite modified glassy carbon electrode (RGO–TiO₂/GCE) was developed for the electrochemical determination of an antimalarial drug, hydroxychloroquine (HCQ). The modified electrode was characterized by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Electrochemical test showed that the RGO–TiO₂ electrode had stronger electrochemical activity and higher effective real surface area than that of TiO₂ electrode and bare electrode. The electrochemical response of RGO–TiO₂ nanocomposite modified electrode toward HCQ oxidation was studied by CV, chronoamperometry (CHA), chronocoulometry (CHC) and square-wave voltammetry (SWV). Interestingly, RGO–TiO₂/GCE indicated an excellent electrocatalytic activity for HCQ. Under the optimal experimental conditions, a linear relationship between the peak current and the concentration was obtained, ranging from 0.25 to 500 μM, with the detection limit (S/N = 3) of 12.5 nM and quantification limit (S/N = 10) of 0.97 μM. Furthermore, the proposed sensor was successfully applied to the determination of HCQ in pharmaceutical (tablets) samples. In summary, the developed sensor was low cost and efficient, making it potentially attractive for practical sample analysis application of HCQ.

An SPR investigation into the therapeutic drug monitoring of the anticancer drug imatinib with selective aptamers operating in human plasma

An ss-DNA aptamer-based biosensor was devised to detect the anticancer drug imatinib by means of surface plasmon resonance.

Nanomaterial-based electrochemical sensors and biosensors for the detection of pharmaceutical compounds

The surging growth of the pharmaceutical industry is a result of the rapidly increasing human population, which has inevitably led to new biomedical and environmental issues. Aside from the quality control of pharmaceutical production and drug delivery, there is an urgent need for precise, sensitive, portable, and cost-effective technologies to track patient overdosing and to monitor ambient water sources and wastewater for pharmaceutical pollutants. The development of advanced nanomaterial-based electrochemical sensors and biosensors for the detection of pharmaceutical compounds has garnered immense attention due to their advantages, such as high sensitivity and selectivity, real-time monitoring, and ease of use. This review article surveys state-of-the-art nanomaterials-based electrochemical sensors and biosensors for the detection and quantification of six classes of significant pharmaceutical compounds, including anti-inflammatory, anti-depressant, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal, and anti-cancer drugs. Important factors such as sensor/analyte interactions, design rationale, fabrication, characterization, sensitivity, and selectivity are discussed. Strategies for the development of high-performance electrochemical sensors and biosensors tailored toward specific pharmaceuticals are highlighted to provide readers and scientists with an extensive toolbox for the detection of a wide range of pharmaceuticals. Our aims are two-fold: (i) to inspire readers by further elucidating the properties and functionalities of existing nanomaterials for the detection of pharmaceuticals; and (ii) to provide examples of the potential opportunities that these devices have for the advanced sensing of pharmaceutical compounds toward safeguarding human health and ecosystems on a global scale.

Chitosan coated magnetite nanoparticle as a working electrode for determination of Cr(VI) using square wave adsorptive cathodic stripping voltammetry

The application of chitosan coated magnetite nanoparticle modified carbon paste electrode as a working electrode (chitosan@Fe₃O₄/CPE) for Cr(VI) analysis is presented. The electrochemical detection mode of square wave adsorptive cathodic stripping voltammetry (SWAdCSV) was selected for determination of Cr(VI) due to the high sensitivity and selectivity. The optimal conditions for electrode preparation and the electrode behavior including parameters affecting the SWAdCSV signal were investigated. Two linear ranges of Cr(VI) determination were observed 0.01-0.3 μg L^-1 and 0.5-30 μg L^-1 with limits of detection of 0.0061 and 0.078 μg L^-1, respectively. The precision of the electrode output in terms of %RSD was 11.4% (n = 30). The method was successfully applied to determine Cr(VI) in drinking water and sea water samples with recovery percentages in range 87-110%. Moreover, the results obtained agree with a paired t-test at the 95% confidence level which were comparable to the standard UV-visible spectrophotometric method.

In Situ Growth of Metal-Organic Framework HKUST-1 on Graphene Oxide Nanoribbons with High Electrochemical Sensing Performance in Imatinib Determination

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have been previously investigated as electrode materials for developing electrochemical sensors. They have usually been reported to suffer from poor conductivity and improvement in the conductivity of MOFs is still a great challenge. Here, we reported the fabrication of an electrochemical sensor based on the in situ growth of framework HKUST-1 on conductive graphene oxide nanoribbons (GONRs)-modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) (HKUST-1/GONRs/GCE). The as-fabricated modified electrode was characterized using field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution TEM, Fourier transform infrared, X-ray diffraction, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and Raman spectroscopy. The voltammetric response of HKUST-1/GONRs/GCE toward Imatinib (IMA), as an anticancer drug, is dramatically higher than HKUST-1/GCE because of the synergic effect of the GONRs and HKUST-1 framework. The calibration curve at the HKUST-1/GONRs/GCE for IMA covered two linear dynamic ranges, 0.04-1.0 and 1.0-80 μmol L^-1, with a detection limit of 0.006 μmol L^-1 (6 nmol L^-1). Taking advantage of the conductivity of GONRs and large surface area of HKUST-1, a sensitive modified electrode was developed for the electrochemical determination of IMA. The present method provides an effective strategy to solve the poor conductivity of the MOFs. Finally, the obtained electrochemical performance made this modified electrode promising in the determination of IMA in urine and serum samples.

Voltammetric determination of organophosphorus pesticides using a hairpin aptamer immobilized in a graphene oxide-chitosan composite

An aptasensor is described for electrochemical determination of organophosphorus pesticides (OPPs), specifically of profenofos, phorate, isocarbophos, and omethoate. The method uses a hairpin aptamer as signalling donor. Its 5' and 3' ends were modified with amino groups and the redox probe ferrocene (Fc), respectively. A nanocomposite consisting of graphene oxide and chitosan (GO-chit) was used to immobilize the aptamer via formation of an amide link. Its good conductivity facilitates monitoring of the electrochemical responses. Upon addition of an OPP, it will be bound by the aptamer. This results in an opening of the hairpin structure. Thus, Fc is shifted away from the surface of the electrode. As a result, the impedance increases and the redox signal of Fc decreases. The electrochemical performance, binding capacity and response of the aptasensor for profenofos, phorate, isocarbophos and omethoate were studied. The limits of detection are as low as 0.01, 0.1, 0.01 and 0.1 nM, respectively. Graphical abstract Schematic representation of an electrochemical aptasensor prepared by immobilizing ferrocene (Fc) labeled hairpin aptamer (HP) on the surface of graphene oxide-chitosan (GO-chit) modified electrode, and its application to the determination of organophosphorus pesticides (OPPs) by voltammetry.

A Review: New Trends in Electrode Systems for Sensitive Drug and Biomolecule Analysis

Drug and biomolecule analysis with high precision, fast response, not expensive, and user-friendly methods have been very important for developing technology and clinical applications. Electrochemical methods are highly capable for assaying the concentration of electroactive drug or biomolecule and supply excellent knowledge concerning its physical and chemical properties such as electron transfer rates, diffusion coefficients, electron transfer number, and oxidation potential. Electrochemical methods have been widely applied because of their accuracy, sensitivity, cheapness, and can applied on-site determinations of various substances. The progress on electronics has allowed developing reliable, more sensitive and less expensive instrumentations, which have significant contribution in the area of drug development, drug and biomolecule analysis. The developing new sensors for electrochemical analysis of these compounds have growing interest in recent years. Screen-printed based electrodes have a great interest in electrochemical analysis of various drugs and biomolecules due to their easy manufacturing procedure of the electrode allow the transfer of electrochemical laboratory experiments for disposable on-site analysis of some compounds. Paper based electrodes are also fabricated by new technology. They can be preferred due to their easy, cheap, portable, disposable, and offering high sensitivity properties for many application field such as environmental monitoring, food quality control, clinical diagnosis, drug, and biomolecules analysis. In this review, the recent electrochemical drug and biomolecule (DNA, RNA, µRNA, Biomarkers, etc.) studies will be presented that involve new trend disposable electrodes.