Magnetic Nanoparticle-Based Electrochemical Sensing Platform Using Ferrocene-Labelled Peptide Nucleic Acid for the Early Diagnosis of Colorectal Cancer

Abstract

Diagnostic biomarkers based on epigenetic changes such as DNA methylation are promising tools for early cancer diagnosis. However, there are significant difficulties in directly and specifically detecting methylated DNA regions. Here, we report an electrochemical sensing system based on magnetic nanoparticles that enable a quantitative and selective analysis of the methylated septin9 (mSEPT9) gene, which is considered a diagnostic marker in early stage colorectal cancer (CRC). Methylation levels of SEPT9 in CRC samples were successfully followed by the selective recognition ability of a related peptide nucleic acid (PNA) after hybridization with DNA fragments in human patients’ serums and plasma (n = 10). Moreover, this system was also adapted into a point-of-care (POC) device for a one-step detection platform. The detection of mSEPT9 demonstrated a limit of detection (LOD) value of 0.37% and interference-free measurement in the presence of branched-chain amino acid transaminase 1 (BCAT1) and SRY box transcription factor 21 antisense divergent transcript 1 (SOX21-AS1). The currently proposed functional platform has substantial prospects in translational applications of early CRC detection.

Biologic Impact of Green Synthetized Magnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles on Two Different Lung Tumorigenic Monolayers and a 3D Normal Bronchial Model—EpiAirwayTM Microtissue

“…Advances in the synthesis and engineering of MNPs offer more specific alternatives for diagnosis and treatment of various cancer types [ 19 , 35 ]. The synthesis method plays an essential role in preparation of MNPs with tailored features, suitable for biomedical applications.…”

“…In the last decades, significant research results have been reported regarding the application of Fe 3 O 4 and/or γ-Fe 2 O 3 in NSCLC targeted therapy [ 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 ]. To date, it is certain that these studies show both promising results regarding the use of MNPs for lung cancer diagnostic [ 19 ] and also their valuable features as nanocarriers for anticancer drug delivery to the lungs [ 20 ]; however, they are not yet accepted as an efficient clinical approach for humans. The studies reported above describe the use of MNPs obtained by chemical or physical methods.…”

Advancements in magnetic nanoparticle-based biosensors for point-of-care testing

“…MNPs offer amplification potential comparable to that of exceptional enzyme labels in electrochemical biosensors, while also providing several advantages, including eliminating the need for timed signal recording and mitigating the risk of denaturation during storage ( Cai et al, 2002 ). Simgle ( Hanoglu et al, 2022 ) developed an MNPs-based electrochemical biosensor for assessing the methylation septin9 (mSEPT9) gene in early-stage colorectal cancer (CRC) ( Figure 8 ). This biosensor leverages the stability and signal amplification capabilities of MNPs to accurately and selectively detect methylated SEPT9 gene sequences which serve as a diagnostic marker for CRC.…”

Antibody-Loaded Nanoplatforms for Colorectal Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment: An Update

“…This alternative was carried out by Povedano et al in 2018, who developed two different electrochemical affinity biosensing approaches for 5-mC in DNA that do not require bisulfite or PCR testing [ 78 ]. Likewise, more recently, Hanoglu et al reported an electrochemical sensing system based on MNPs that enabled quantification of the methylated septin-9 gene, which is considered a biomarker in early CRC [ 79 ].…”