Fabrication of a sensitive label free electrochemical immunosensor for detection of prostate specific antigen using functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes/polyaniline/AuNPs

Electrochemical immunosensing of tumor markers

The rising incidence and mortality rates of cancer have led to a growing need for precise and prompt early diagnostic approaches to effectively combat this disease. However, traditional methods employed for detecting tumor cells, such as histopathological and immunological techniques, are often associated with complex procedures, high analytical expenses, elevated false positive rates, and a dependence on experienced personnel. Tracking tumor markers is recognized as one of the most effective approaches for early detection and prognosis of cancer. While onco-biomarkers can also be produced in normal circumstances, their concentration is significantly elevated when tumors are present. By monitoring the levels of these markers, healthcare professionals can obtain valuable insights into the presence, progression, and response to treatment of cancer, aiding in timely diagnosis and effective management. This review aims to provide researchers with a comprehensive overview of the recent advancements in tumor markers using electrochemical immunosensors. By highlighting the latest developments in this field, researchers can gain a general understanding of the progress made in the utilization of electrochemical immunosensors for detecting tumor markers. Furthermore, this review also discusses the current limitations associated with electrochemical immunosensors and offers insights into paving the way for further improvements and advancements in this area of research.

Revolutionizing cancer monitoring with carbon-based electrochemical biosensors

Cancer monitoring plays a critical role in improving patient outcomes by providing early detection, personalized treatment options, and treatment response tracking. Carbon-based electrochemical biosensors have emerged in recent years as a revolutionary technology with the potential to revolutionize cancer monitoring. These sensors are useful for clinical applications because of their high sensitivity, selectivity, rapid response, and compatibility with miniaturized equipment. This review paper gives an in-depth look at the latest developments and the possibilities of carbon-based electrochemical sensors in cancer surveillance. The essential principles of carbon-based electrochemical sensors are discussed, including their structure, operating mechanisms, and critical qualities that make them suited for cancer surveillance. Furthermore, we investigate their applicability in detecting specific cancer biomarkers, evaluating therapy responses, and detecting cancer recurrence early. Additionally, a comparison of carbon-based electrochemical sensor performance measures, including sensitivity, selectivity, accuracy, and limit of detection, is presented in contrast to existing monitoring methods and upcoming technologies. Finally, we discuss prospective tactics, future initiatives, and commercialization opportunities for improving the capabilities of these sensors and integrating them into normal clinical practice. The review highlights the potential impact of carbon-based electrochemical sensors on cancer diagnosis, treatment, and patient outcomes, as well as the importance of ongoing research, collaboration, and validation studies to fully realize their potential in revolutionizing cancer monitoring.

A novel electrochemical aptasensor for ultrasensitive detection of herbicide prometryn based on its highly specific aptamer and Ag@Au nanoflowers

Herbicide prometryn has become a common pollutant in aquatic environments and caused adverse impacts on ecosystems. This study developed an ultrasensitive electrochemical aptasensor for prometryn based on its highly affinitive and specific aptamer and Ag@Au nanoflowers (Ag@AuNFs) for signal amplification. Firstly, this study improved the Capture-SELEX strategy to screen aptamers and obtained aptamer P60-1, which had a high affinity (Kd: 23 nM) and could distinguish prometryn from its structural analogues. Moreover, the typical stem-loop structure in aptamer P60-1 was found to be the binding pocket for prometryn. Subsequently, an electrochemical aptasensor for prometryn was established using multiwalled carbon nanotubes and reduced graphene oxide as electrode substrate, Ag@Au NFs as signal amplification element, and aptamer P60-1 as recognition element. The aptasensor had a detection range of 0.16-500 ng/mL and a detection limit of 60 pg/mL, which was much lower than those of existing detection methods. The aptasensor had high stability and good repeatability, and could specifically detecting prometryn. Furthermore, the utility of the aptasensor was validated by measuring prometryn in environmental and biological components. Therefore, this study provides a robust and ultrasensitive aptasensor for accurate detection for prometryn pollution.

Microfluidic Platform Integrated with Carbon Nanofibers-Decorated Gold Nanoporous Sensing Device for Serum PSA Quantification

Prostate cancer is a disease with a high incidence and mortality rate in men worldwide. Serum prostate-specific antigens (PSA) are the main circulating biomarker for this disease in clinical practices. In this work, we present a portable and reusable microfluidic device for PSA quantification. This device comprises a polymethyl methacrylate microfluidic platform coupled with electrochemical detection. The platinum working microelectrode was positioned in the outflow region of the microchannel and was modified with carbon nanofibers (CNF)-decorated gold nanoporous (GNP) structures by the dynamic hydrogen bubble template method, through the simultaneous electrodeposition of metal precursors in the presence of CNF. CNF/GNP structures exhibit attractive properties, such as a large surface to volume ratio, which increases the antibody's immobilization capacity and the electroactive area. CNFs/GNP structures were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectrometry, and cyclic voltammetry. Anti-PSA antibodies and HRP were employed for the immune-electrochemical reaction. The detection limit for the device was 5 pg mL^-1, with a linear range from 0.01 to 50 ng mL^-1. The coefficients of variation within and between assays were lower than 4.40%, and 6.15%, respectively. Additionally, its clinical performance was tested in serum from 30 prostate cancer patients. This novel device was a sensitive, selective, portable, and reusable tool for the serological diagnosis and monitoring of prostate cancer.

Electrochemical detection of enrofloxacin in meat using bimetallic organic framework-derived NiCo2O4@NiO

A novel electrochemical aptasensor based on a bimetallic organic frame-derived carbide nanostructure of Co and Ni (NiCo₂O₄@NiO) was prepared for rapid and sensitive enrofloxacin (ENR) detection of sheep and pork liver meats. The composite was fabricated by solvothermal and direct pyrolysis methods and dropped onto a modified electrode to improve the electron transfer efficiency. Furthermore, different techniques such as scanning electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were used to characterize the morphology and structure of the materials. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry were used to evaluate the performance of the electrochemical sensor. As a result, the electrochemical aptasensor based on NiCo₂O₄@NiO exhibited excellent sensing performances for ENR with an extremely low detection limit of 1.67 × 10^-2 pg mL^-1 and a broad linear range of 5 × 10^-2 to 5 × 10⁴ pg mL^-1, as well as great selectivity, excellent reproducibility, high stability and applicability. In addition, the relative standard deviation for real samples was in the range of 93.83 to 100.09% and 94.95 to 100.01% for sheep and pork liver. The results showed that the composite can be expected to greatly facilitate ENR detection and practical applications in harmful food due to the advantages of simple fabrication, controllable, large-area uniformity, environmental friendliness, and trace detection.

Electrochemical immunosensor based on AuNPs/ERGO@CNT nanocomposites by one-step electrochemical co-reduction for sensitive detection of P-glycoprotein in serum

P-glycoprotein (P-gp), a transmembrane glycoprotein widely expressed on the surface of various cells, is highly associated with multidrug resistance (MDR) that heralds the malignant progress of disease after drug treatment. Notably, there have been reported that serum P-gp is a potential marker for assessing the progression of disease resistance. Currently, there are few methods for point-of-care serum P-gp detection. In this study, we proposed a gold nanoparticles/electrochemically reduced graphene oxide@carbon nanotube (AuNPs/ERGO@CNT) modified immunosensor based on a one-step electrochemical co-reduction method. The limit of detection (LOD) of our constructed electrochemical immunosensor for P-gp detection reached 0.13 ng/mL, and the detection results in serum were consistent with ELISA. The developed immunosensor is expected to provide a scientific basis for the clinical application of serum P-gp monitoring and integrated medicine.

Redox-labelled detection probe enabled immunoassay for simultaneous detection of multiple cancer biomarkers

Some of the cancer biomarkers often lack specificity and sensitivity; thus, simultaneous detection of multiple biomarkers can make the diagnosis more accurate. Also, simple sensing system without utilization of extra reagents like mediator or substrate during detection event is desirable for point-of-care testing. To address this, mediator and substrate-free amperometric biosensor for simultaneous detection of cancer biomarkers carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) have been demonstrated by designing two different redox-labelled detection probes. Colloidal nanoparticles of polyaniline-pectin conjugated with AFP antibody along with ferrocene and silver nanoparticles conjugated with CEA antibody along with anthraquinone were used as redox probes to bind with AFP and CEA during the detection event. Sensor constructed using carboxylic acid tethered polyaniline as immobilization matrix displayed 5 times wider linear range than conventional polyaniline for AFP and CEA detection by sandwich electrochemical assay. The detection limit was 30 pg mL^-1 for AFP and 80 pg mL^-1 for CEA. The biosensor displayed appropriate sensitivity, good specificity, and negligible cross-reactivity between the two targets. The proposed sensor was used to determine APF and CEA in human blood serum. The strategy demonstrated can be further extended for detection of panel of cancer biomarkers by designing appropriate redox probes.

Bio-Tailored Sensing at the Nanoscale: Biochemical Aspects and Applications

The demonstration of the first enzyme-based electrode to detect glucose, published in 1967 by S. J. Updike and G. P. Hicks, kicked off huge efforts in building sensors where biomolecules are exploited as native or modified to achieve new or improved sensing performances. In this growing area, bionanotechnology has become prominent in demonstrating how nanomaterials can be tailored into responsive nanostructures using biomolecules and integrated into sensors to detect different analytes, e.g., biomarkers, antibiotics, toxins and organic compounds as well as whole cells and microorganisms with very high sensitivity. Accounting for the natural affinity between biomolecules and almost every type of nanomaterials and taking advantage of well-known crosslinking strategies to stabilize the resulting hybrid nanostructures, biosensors with broad applications and with unprecedented low detection limits have been realized. This review depicts a comprehensive collection of the most recent biochemical and biophysical strategies for building hybrid devices based on bioconjugated nanomaterials and their applications in label-free detection for diagnostics, food and environmental analysis.

A Novel, Quick, and Reliable Smartphone-Based Method for Serum PSA Quantification: Original Design of a Portable Microfluidic Immunosensor-Based System

Simple Summary

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most frequently diagnosed malignancy and second most common cause of cancer-related death in males. An early diagnosis is crucial to improve the prognosis. Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) is the most widely used biomarker for PCa, but this type of biomarker analysis is performed in centralized laboratories, delaying the diagnosis and initiation of treatment. Our team has developed a miniaturized platform for portable PSA quantification to overcome this shortcoming. It includes a microfluidic chip, immune capture of PSA by magnetic microbeads, and electrochemical quantification. The utilization of a micro-potentiostat allows PSA levels to be read on a smartphone in less than 30 min. This technique was found to offer a fast, easy, specific, sensitive, and reproducible method for PSA quantification. Further research is warranted to verify these findings and explore its potential application at all health care levels.

Abstract

We describe a versatile, portable, and simple platform that includes a microfluidic electrochemical immunosensor for prostate-specific antigen (PSA) detection. It is based on the covalent immobilization of the anti-PSA monoclonal antibody on magnetic microbeads retained in the central channel of a microfluidic device. Image flow cytometry and scanning electron microscopy were used to characterize the magnetic microbeads. A direct sandwich immunoassay (with horseradish peroxidase-conjugated PSA antibody) served to quantify the cancer biomarker in serum samples. The enzymatic product was detected at −100 mV by amperometry on sputtered thin-film electrodes. Electrochemical reaction produced a current proportional to the PSA level, with a linear range from 10 pg mL⁻¹ to 1500 pg mL⁻¹. The sensitivity was demonstrated by a detection limit of 2 pg mL⁻¹ and the reproducibility by a coefficient of variation of 6.16%. The clinical performance of this platform was tested in serum samples from patients with prostate cancer (PCa), observing high specificity and full correlation with gold standard determinations. In conclusion, this analytical platform is a promising tool for measuring PSA levels in patients with PCa, offering a high sensitivity and reduced variability. The small platform size and low cost of this quantitative methodology support its suitability for the fast and sensitive analysis of PSA and other circulating biomarkers in patients. Further research is warranted to verify these findings and explore its potential application at all healthcare levels.

Label-Free Immunosensor Based on Polyaniline-Loaded MXene and Gold-Decorated β-Cyclodextrin for Efficient Detection of Carcinoembryonic Antigen

Multiple strategies have been employed to improve the performance of label-free immunosensors, among which building highly conductive interfaces and introducing suitable biocompatible carriers for immobilizing antibodies or antigens are believed to be efficient in most cases. Inspired by this, a label-free immunosensor for carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) detection was constructed by assembling AuNPs and β-CD (Au-β-CD) on the surface of FTO modified with PANI-decorated f-MXene (MXene@PANI). Driven by the high electron conductivity of MXene@PANI and the excellent capability of Au-β-CD for antibody immobilization, the BSA/anti-CEA/Au-β-CD/MXene@PANI/FTO immunosensor exhibits balanced performance towards CEA detection, with a practical linear range of 0.5–350 ng/mL and a low detection limit of 0.0429 ng/mL. Meanwhile, the proposed sensor presents satisfying selectivity, repeatability, and stability, as well as feasibility in clinic serum samples. This work would enlighten the prospective research on the alternative strategies in constructing advanced immunosensors.

Biosensing strategies for diagnosis of prostate specific antigen

Almost from the time of its discovery, the prostate specific antigen (PSA) has been one of the most accurate and most extensively studied indicators of prostate cancer (PC). Because of advancements in biosensing systems and technology, PSA analysis methods have been substantially updated and enhanced as compared to their first instances. With the development of techniques in biosensor technology, the number of PSA biosensors that can be used in the biomedical sector is increasing year by year. Many different recognition elements and transducers have been used in the development of biosensor systems that exhibit high sensitivity, selectivity, and specificity. Here in this review, we provide a current overview of the different approaches to PSA detection.

Recent Progress in Electrochemical Immunosensors

Biosensors used for medical diagnosis work by analyzing physiological fluids. Antibodies have been frequently used as molecular recognition molecules for the specific binding of target analytes from complex biological solutions. Electrochemistry has been introduced for the measurement of quantitative signals from transducer-bound analytes for many reasons, including good sensitivity. Recently, numerous electrochemical immunosensors have been developed and various strategies have been proposed to detect biomarkers. In this paper, the recent progress in electrochemical immunosensors is reviewed. In particular, we focused on the immobilization methods using antibodies for voltammetric, amperometric, impedimetric, and electrochemiluminescent immunosensors.

Carbon Material Based Electrochemical Immunosensor for Gastric Cancer Markers Detection

Gastric cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors, and early diagnosis will be of great significance to improve the survival quality and overall treatment outcome evaluation of patients. Nanoelectrochemical immunosensor is an emerging biosensor combining nanotechnology, electrochemical analysis method and immunological technology, which has simple operation, fast analysis speed, high sensitivity, and good selectivity. This mini-review summarized immunoassay techniques, nanotechnology and electrochemical sensing for the early detection of gastric cancer. In particular, we focus on the tension of carbon nanomaterials in this field, including the functionalized preparation of materials, signal enhancement and the construction of novel sensing interfaces. Currently, various tumor markers are being developed, but the more recognized gastric cancer tumor markers are carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), carbohydrate antigen (CA), CD44V9, miRNAs, and programmed death ligand 1. Among them, the electrochemical immunosensor allows the detection of CEA, CA, and miRNAs. The mini-review focused on the development of using carbon based materials, especially carbon nanotubes and graphene for immunosensor fabrication and gastric cancer markers detection.

A label-free photoelectrochemical immunosensor for prostate specific antigen detection based on Ag2S sensitized Ag/AgBr/BiOBr heterojunction by in-situ growth method

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world, and its early detection is vital to saving the lives of patients. In this research, a novel label-free photoelectrochemical immunosensor was designed for sensitive detection of prostate specific antigen (PSA). Ag₂S sensitized on Ag/AgBr/BiOBr heterojunction could effectively inhibit photogenic holes recombination and improve photocurrent response and sensitivity. Ascorbic acid was an effective electron donor, which can effectively eliminate photo-generated holes. The photocurrent reduced linearly with the logarithm of PSA concentration ranged from 0.001 to 50 ng·mL^-1 and the limit of detection was 0.25 pg·mL^-1. The designed sensor had the advantages of wide linear range, good stability, high reproducibility, and good selectivity. This study not only provided a method for efficient and sensitive detection of PSA, but also provided valuable reference ideas for the detection of other tumor markers.