Electrochemical Assay of the Alpha Fetoprotein-L3 Isoform Ratio To Improve the Diagnostic Accuracy of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is now the major malignant disease with high morbidity and mortality, which seriously endangers human lives and health. Alpha fetoprotein (AFP) assay is a commonly used serological biomarker for clinical diagnosis of HCC, but it lacks specificity. Analysis of its isoform AFP-L3, especially the AFP-L3 ratio in total AFP (AFP-L3%), can significantly improve the specificity for HCC identification. Herein, an electrochemical approach has been first proposed for simple, accurate, and fast determination of AFP-L3% in clinical samples. On the basis of two independent electrochemical signals generated from the synthesized nanoparticles, 4-mercaptophenylboronic acid (MPA)-functionalized copper nanoparticles (MPA-CuNPs) and the Lens culinaris agglutinin (LCA)-functionalized silver nanoparticles (LCA-AgNPs), simultaneous quantification of the AFP-L3 and total AFP in serum sample has been achieved, thus achieving directly the electrochemical assay of AFP-L3%. To be noted, both the assay time and the assay procedure have been significantly compressed when compared to that of available techniques in clinical use. Therefore, with the integration of electrochemical techniques, this new approach for AFP-L3% analysis would be promising for the accurate diagnosis of HCC.

Design and Optimization of Orally Administered Luteolin Nanoethosomes to Enhance Its Anti-Tumor Activity against Hepatocellular Carcinoma

“…Treatment with LUT suspension does not affect the hepatic GPC3 gene expression. After treatment with LUT-ENPs, the hepatic GPC3 gene expression was significantly decreased in comparison to carcinogenic groups ( p < 0.05) [ 55 , 56 ] ( Figure 7 ).…”

“…Treatment with LUT suspension does not affect the hepatic GPC3 gene expression. After treatment with LUT-ENPs, the hepatic GPC3 gene expression was significantly decreased in comparison to carcinogenic groups (p < 0.05) [55,56] (Figure 7). By comparing the data obtained from carcinogenic groups and healthy groups w found that liver biomarkers, total bilirubin, and AFP-L3 were significantly elevated in th carcinogenic groups (p < 0.05) with respect to healthy groups.…”

The antitumour effect of galangin and luteolin with doxorubicin on chemically induced hepatocellular carcinoma in rats

“…In addition, AFP-L3 can be used in the monitoring of disease prognosis. The Food and Drug Administration has approved the use of AFP-L3 as an early diagnostic marker for HCC, with 10% of total AFP content as a positive crucial value because this ratio elucidates an incidence of over 95% for HCC [ 31 ].…”

“…In addition, AFP-L3 can be detected in the serum 9–12 months before the detection of tissue lesions by screening. Finally, AFP-L3 can be used to determine disease prognosis [ 31 ].…”

Disposable Electrochemical Aptasensor for Ultrasensitive Determination of Aflatoxin B1 Using Copper Nanoparticles as Probes

“…On the other hand, the electrochemical sensors based on coinage (gold, silver, and copper) nanomaterials with versatility have been developed [42]. In particular, the copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) as electrochemical reporters possessed the virtue of affordable price and unique electrochemical properties [43]. The oxidation of CuNPs could provide plentiful Cu 2 + and thus ultra-sensitive detection could be obtained.…”