Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Serum AFP-L3 and GP-73 in the Diagnosis of Primary Liver Cancer

A sandwich-type electrochemical sensor based on RGO-CeO2-Au nanoparticles and double aptamers for ultrasensitive detection of glypican-3

A sandwich-type electrochemical aptasensor for ultrasensitive detection of glypican-3 (GPC3) was constructed using GPC3 aptamer (GPC3Apt) labelled reduced graphene oxide-cerium oxide-gold nanoparticles (RGO-CeO2-Au NPs) as the signal probe and the same GPC3Apt as the capture probe. The electrochemical redox properties of CeO2 (Ce3+/Ce4+) in the RGO-CeO2-Au NPs indicate the electrochemical signals. When the target GPC3 was present, an "aptamer-protein-aptamer" sandwich structure was formed on the sensing interface due to the specific binding between the protein and aptamers, resulting in an increased electrochemical redox signal detected by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) technique. Under optimal conditions, the established aptasensor exhibited a logarithmic linear relationship between the current response and GPC3 concentration in the range 0.001-100.0 ng/mL, with a minimum detection limit of 0.74 pg/mL. Using the spike-recovery tests for measurement of the human serum samples, the recovery was from 99.26 to 114.01%, and the RSD range was 3.04 to 5.34%. Furthermore, the sandwich-type electrochemical aptasensor exhibited excellent performance characteristics such as good stability, high specificity, and high sensitivity, demonstrating effective detection of GPC3 in human serum samples and can be used as a clinical detection tool for GPC3.

A self-immolative near-infrared fluorescent probe for identification of cancer cells and facilitating its apoptosis

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) plays a significant role in the onset and progression of cancer. It has led to increased interest in its potential as a diagnostic tool owing to its overexpression in cancer. However, research into the anti-cancer activity of H2S, particularly its ability to promote apoptosis, is hindered by the lack of effective detection tools. To gain a comprehensive understanding of the targeted efficacy of H2S in promoting cancer cell apoptosis, we designed and synthesized a self-immolative near-infrared fluorescent diagnostic probe, named YH-NO2. The activation of this self-immolative reaction is dependent on the presence of nitroreductase (NTR) overexpressed in tumor cells. The design of YH-NO2 involves releasing fluorophores through the activated self-immolative reaction for detection, while simultaneously releasing H2S-loaded self-immolative spacers to promote cancer cell apoptosis. Consequently, YH-NO2 achieves a seamless integration of recognizing and promoting cancer cell apoptosis through its self-immolative structure. This dual function allows YH-NO2 to recognize NTR activity in cells under varying hypoxia levels and differentiate between normal cells and cancer cells using imaging technology. Notably, YH-NO2 exhibits remarkable stability in cellular environments, providing controlled and selective H2S release, thereby targeting the elimination of cancer cells through the promotion of apoptosis. Furthermore, in vivo experiments have demonstrated that YH-NO2 can accurately identify tumor tissue and effectively reduce its size by utilizing its apoptosis-promoting properties. These findings not only provide further evidence for the anti-cancer activity of H2S but also offer valuable tools for understanding the complex relationship between H2S and cancer.

The Value of MRI Combined with AFP, AFP-L3, GP73, and DCP in the Diagnosis of Early Primary Liver Cancer

Objective

To investigate the diagnostic value of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) combined with serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), alpha-fetoprotein (AFP-L3), Golgi protein 73 (GP73), and des-γ-carboxyprothrombin (DCP) on early-stage primary liver cancer (PHC).

Methods

A total of 122 patients who were treated in our hospital from January 2019 to May 2022 were included in this study, including 62 patients with early PHC (referred to as the observation group) and 60 patients with benign liver disease (referred to as the control group). MRI scans were performed on all participants, and MRI image features were compared. Subsequently, the differences in serum AFP, AFP-L3, GP73, and DCP concentrations of the two groups of patients were detected and compared. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to analyze the efficacy of MRI and each of the above tumor markers in diagnosing early PHC.

Results

The proportion of low or slightly low signal on T1WI in the observation group was significantly greater than that in the control group, while the proportions of equisignal and high signal were lower than those in the control group. The proportion of high signal on T2WI and high signal on DWI in the observation group was higher than that in the control group, while the proportion of low or slightly low signal and equisignal was lower than that in the control group. Compared with the control group, the serum concentrations of AFP, AFP-L3, GP73, and DCP in the observation group were significantly increased (all P < 0.05). For the diagnosis of early-stage PHC patients, MRI combined with these four markers showed favorable diagnostic value compared with parameter alone (area under the ROC curve, sensitivity, and specificity were 0.943, 0.919, and 0.833, respectively).

Conclusion

MRI combined with serum AFP, AFP-L3, GP73, and DCP detection has good value in the diagnosis of early PHC patients, and can serve as an effective strategy to improve the early diagnosis rate of PHC.