SEA Anemone-inspired Conducting Polymer Sensing Platform for Integrated Detection of Tumor Protein Marker and Circulating Tumor Cell

Adv Healthc Mater. 2024 May 20:e2401305. doi: 10.1002/adhm.202401305. Online ahead of print.

Abstract

Combining the detection of tumor protein markers with the capture of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) represents an ultra-promising approach for early tumor detection. However, current methodologies have not yet achieved the necessary low detection limits and efficient capture. Here, we introduced a novel polypyrrole nanotentacles sensing platform featuring anemone-like structures capable of simultaneously detecting protein biomarkers and capturing CTCs. The incorporation of nanotentacles significantly enhanced the electrode surface area, providing abundant active sites for antibody binding. This enhancement allowed detecting nucleus matrix protein22 (NMP22) and bladder tumor antigen (BTA) with 2.39 and 3.12 pg/mL detection limit, respectively. Furthermore, our developed sensing platform effectively captured MCF-7 cells in blood samples with a detection limit of fewer than 10 cells/mL, attributed to the synergistic multivalent binding facilitated by the specific recognition antibodies and the positive charge on the nanotentacles surface. This sensing platform demonstrated excellent detection capabilities and outstanding capture efficiency, offering a simple, accurate, and efficient strategy for early tumor detection. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Keywords: Biomarkers; CTCs; Conducting polymer nanotentacle; Sensing platform; Tumor early detection.