Simple monitoring of cancer cells using nanoparticles

Nano Lett. 2012 Aug 8;12(8):4164-71. doi: 10.1021/nl301726g. Epub 2012 Jul 24.

Abstract

Here we present a new strategy for a simple and fast detection of cancer circulating cells (CTCs) using nanoparticles. The human colon adenocarcinoma cell line (Caco2) was chosen as a model CTC. Similarly to other adenocarcinomas, colon adenocarcinoma cells have a strong expression of EpCAM, and for this reason this glycoprotein was used as the capture target. We combine the capturing capability of anti-EpCAM functionalized magnetic beads (MBs) and the specific labeling through antibody-modified gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), with the sensitivity of the AuNPs-electrocatalyzed hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) detection technique. The fully optimized process was used for the electrochemical detection of Caco2 cells in the presence of monocytes (THP-1), other circulating cells that could interfere in real blood samples. Therefore we obtained a novel and simple in situ-like sensing format that we applied for the rapid quantification of AuNPs-labeled CTCs in the presence of other human cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / diagnosis*
  • Adenocarcinoma / metabolism
  • Antigens, Neoplasm / analysis
  • Antigens, Neoplasm / metabolism
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / analysis
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism
  • Biosensing Techniques*
  • Caco-2 Cells
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules / analysis
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules / metabolism
  • Colonic Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Colonic Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Electrochemical Techniques*
  • Epithelial Cell Adhesion Molecule
  • Gold* / chemistry
  • Humans
  • Metal Nanoparticles* / chemistry
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence
  • Neoplastic Cells, Circulating / metabolism

Substances

  • Antigens, Neoplasm
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules
  • EPCAM protein, human
  • Epithelial Cell Adhesion Molecule
  • Gold