Anticancer drug detection using a highly sensitive molecularly imprinted electrochemical sensor based on an electropolymerized microporous metal organic framework

Abstract

A simple and highly sensitive approach for the detection of the anti-neoplastic drug gemcitabine is presented, based on a one-step electropolymerized molecularly imprinted microporous-metal-organic-framework. The sensitive layer was prepared by electropolymerization of the aniline moieties of p-aminothiophenol- gold nanoparticles on the surface of gold electrodes tethered with p-aminothiophenol, in the presence of gemcitabine as a template molecule. Experimental parameters that control the performance of the sensor were investigated and optimized. Under optimal conditions a calibration curve was obtained in the linear range from 3.8 fM to 38 nM with a limit of detection of 3 fM. The obtained imprinted sensor has the advantages of easy manufacture, high sensitivity and selectivity and good reproducibility. Furthermore the feasibility of the proposed technique has been investigated on spiked serum samples and infusion solution containing gemcitabine.

Keywords: Electrochemical sensors; Gemcitabine; Gold nanoparticles; Microporous metal organic framework; Molecularly imprinted polymers.