Detection of circulating cancer cells using electrocatalytic gold nanoparticles.
A rapid cancer cell detection and quantification assay, based on the electrocatalytic properties of gold nanoparticles towards the hydrogen evolution reaction, is described. The selective labeling of cancer cells is performed in suspension, allowing a fast interaction between the gold nanoparticle labels and the target proteins expressed at the cell membrane. The subsequent electrochemical detection is accomplished with small volumes of sample and user-friendly equipment through a simple electrochemical method that generates a fast electrochemical response used for the quantification of nanoparticle-labeled cancer cells. The system establishes a selective cell-detection assay capable of detecting 4 × 10(3)  cancer cells in suspension that can be extended to several other cells detection scenarios.
Nanobioelectronics & Biosensors Group, ICN-CSIC/Catalan Institute of Nanotechnology, Campus de la UAB, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain.
Marisa
M
Maltez-da Costa
Alfredo
A
de la Escosura-Muñiz
Carme
C
Nogués
Lleonard
L
Barrios
Elena
E
Ibáñez
Arben
A
Merkoçi
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D015374:Biosensing Techniques / Q000379:methods; D018938:Caco-2 Cells; D004563:Electrochemistry; D006046:Gold / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D057230:Limit of Detection; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D009360:Neoplastic Cells, Circulating; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D006046:Gold