Voltammetric Sensor for Doxorubicin Determination Based on Self-Assembled DNA-Polyphenothiazine Composite

Abstract

A novel voltammetric sensor based on a self-assembled composite formed by native DNA and electropolymerized N-phenyl-3-(phenylimino)-3H-phenothiazin-7-amine has been developed and applied for sensitive determination of doxorubicin, an anthracycline drug applied for cancer therapy. For this purpose, a monomeric phenothiazine derivative has been deposited on the glassy carbon electrode from the 0.4 M H2SO4-acetone mixture (1:1 v/v) by multiple potential cycling. The DNA aliquot was either on the electrode modified with electropolymerized film or added to the reaction medium prior to electropolymerization. The DNA entrapment and its influence on the redox behavior of the underlying layer were studied by scanning electron microscopy and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The DNA–doxorubicin interactions affected the charge distribution in the surface layer and, hence, altered the redox equilibrium of the polyphenothiazine coating. The voltametric signal was successfully applied for the determination of doxorubicin in the concentration range from 10 pM to 0.2 mM (limit of detection 5 pM). The DNA sensor was tested on spiked artificial plasma samples and two commercial medications (recovery of 90–95%). After further testing on real clinical samples, the electrochemical DNA sensor developed can find application in monitoring drug release and screening new antitumor drugs able to intercalate DNA.

Flow-Through Amperometric Biosensor System Based on Functionalized Aryl Derivative of Phenothiazine and PAMAM-Calix-Dendrimers for the Determination of Uric Acid

“…Phenothiazine dyes have shown their effectiveness for use in electrochemical biosensors [ 53 , 54 , 55 ]. The functionalization of these compounds with additional groups changes their properties and can affect the performance of appropriate sensors.…”

Editorial of Special Issue “Functional Nanomaterials Based on Self-Assembly”

“…This often leads to improvements in their properties, e.g., efficiency and selectivity of the detection of various analytes. The work by Prof. Evtugyn et al [2] is an example of the creation of a voltammetric sensor for the detection of anticancer drug doxorubicin (DOX). The authors used a DNA-polyphenothiazine composite as a modifier able to recognize, accumulate and detect target species.…”