Real-time detection of carboplatin using a microfluidic system.
Tonghathai Phairatana1, Chi Leng Leong2, Sally A N Gowers2
1Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla, Thailand. t.phairatana@gmail.com and Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, Imperial College London, London, UK. m.boutelle@imperial.ac.uk.
The Analyst
|November 1, 2016
Summary
A novel microfluidic sensor detects the anti-cancer drug carboplatin in real-time using a carbon nanotube-epoxy electrode. This system offers sensitive, on-line monitoring during chemotherapy to ensure patient safety.
Area of Science:
- Analytical Chemistry
- Biomedical Engineering
- Materials Science
Background:
- Chemotherapy often involves anti-cancer drugs like carboplatin.
- Real-time monitoring of drug levels in tissues is crucial for effective treatment and minimizing side effects.
- Existing methods for carboplatin detection may lack the sensitivity or real-time capability needed for in-vivo applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a microfluidic sensor system for real-time detection of carboplatin in biological environments.
- To utilize a novel carbon nanotube-epoxy composite electrode for enhanced electrochemical sensing.
- To demonstrate the feasibility of on-line carboplatin monitoring during chemotherapy.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a microfluidic sensor system incorporating a carbon nanotube-epoxy composite electrode.
- Differential pulse voltammetry analysis of free purine bases (AMP, GMP) to detect carboplatin's effects.
- Integration with a computer-controlled microfluidic platform and microdialysis sampling for on-line measurements.
- Optimization of analysis time and electrode reusability for repeated measurements.
Main Results:
- The carbon nanotube-epoxy electrode showed superior performance in oxidizing purine bases compared to glassy carbon electrodes.
- The sensor demonstrated higher sensitivity for carboplatin detection than DNA-modified sensors.
- A proof-of-concept system achieved real-time carboplatin detection with a limit of detection of 0.014 μM.
- Methodology was optimized for efficient and repeatable on-line carboplatin measurements.
Conclusions:
- The developed microfluidic sensor system enables sensitive, real-time detection of carboplatin.
- The novel carbon nanotube-epoxy electrode is effective for electrochemical sensing of carboplatin in complex media.
- This technology holds promise for improving chemotherapy monitoring and patient outcomes.
