A Fluorescent Carbon Nanotube Sensor Detects the Metastatic Prostate Cancer Biomarker uPA
Year: 2018
Type: article
Abstract: Therapeutic outcomes in patients with prostate cancer are hindered by the inability to discern indolent versus aggressive disease. To address this problem, we developed a quantitative fluorescent nanosensor for the cancer biomarker urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA). We used the unique fluorescent characteristics of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) to engineer an optical sensor that responds to uPA via optical bandgap modulation in complex protein environments. The sensing characteristics of this construct were modulated by passivation of the hydrophobic SWCNT surface with bovine serum albumin (BSA). The sensor enabled quantitative detection of known uPA concentrations in human blood products. These experiments potentiate future use of this technology as a rapid, point-of-care sensor for biomarker measurements in patient fluid samples. We expect that further work will develop a method to discern aggressive vs indolent prostate cancer and reduce overtreatment of this disease.
Source: ACS Sensors
Language: English
Subfield: Molecular Biology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
Funders: Anna Fuller Fund, American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, Ovarian Cancer Research Fund, Ira Sohn Research Conference Foundation, Honorable Tina Brozman Foundation, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, Pershing Square Foundation, Cycle for Survival, Expect Miracles Foundation, National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, Division of Chemical, Bioengineering, Environmental, and Transport Systems, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
OpenAlex ID: W2889322502