Precision in cancer diagnostics: ultra-sensitive detection of MCF-7 breast cancer cells by gold nanostructure-enhanced electrochemical biosensing

J Mater Chem B. 2024 Jun 5;12(22):5551-5560. doi: 10.1039/d4tb00454j.

Abstract

Timely identification of cancers is pivotal in optimizing treatment efficacy and reducing their widespread impact. This study introduces a novel biosensor for the sensitive electrochemical detection of cancer cells overexpressing mucin 1 (MUC1), a well-established model for breast cancer. The sensor substrate comprises gold columnar nanostructures obtained through glancing angle deposition (GLAD) of copper nanostructures, subsequently replaced by gold via a facile galvanic replacement process. Functionalizing these gold nanostructures with aptamers targeting the MUC1 glycoproteins, a prominent cancer biomarker, enables specific recognition of MCF-7 breast cancer cells. The proposed electrochemical sensing platform offers several advantages, including high selectivity, a wide linear range of detection, a low detection limit of 30 cells per mL, and long-term stability, rendering this sensor highly desirable for definitive breast cancer diagnosis.

MeSH terms

  • Aptamers, Nucleotide / chemistry
  • Biosensing Techniques* / methods
  • Breast Neoplasms* / diagnosis
  • Breast Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Electrochemical Techniques*
  • Female
  • Gold* / chemistry
  • Humans
  • MCF-7 Cells
  • Metal Nanoparticles / chemistry
  • Mucin-1* / analysis
  • Mucin-1* / metabolism
  • Nanostructures / chemistry

Substances

  • Gold
  • Mucin-1
  • MUC1 protein, human
  • Aptamers, Nucleotide