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Highly sensitive and portable mRNA detection platform for early cancer detection
Hongxia Li1, Antony R Warden1, Wenqiong Su1
1State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Institute for Personalized Medicine, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200030, China.
Journal of Nanobiotechnology
|September 27, 2021
Summary
A new method detects early pancreatic cancer biomarkers using a two-step amplification process. This Catalytic Hairpin Assembly combined with Gold-Enhanced point-of-care-testing (CHAGE) offers sensitive and rapid mRNA detection for improved diagnostics.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Molecular Diagnostics
- Oncology
Background:
- Pancreatic cancer has a poor prognosis, emphasizing the need for early detection methods.
- Glypican-1 (GPC1) mRNA in extracellular vesicles (EVs) is a promising biomarker for early pancreatic cancer.
- Existing mRNA detection methods are often complex, costly, and time-consuming.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel, sensitive, and rapid method for detecting pancreatic cancer biomarkers.
- To create a point-of-care testing (POCT) platform for visual mRNA detection.
- To overcome the limitations of current mRNA detection technologies.
Main Methods:
- A two-step amplification strategy combining Catalytic Hairpin Assembly (CHA) with Gold-Enhanced point-of-care-testing (POCT).
- Target-triggered CHA amplifies low-expression GPC1 mRNA into detectable DNA duplexes (AP1).
- Lateral flow assay with gold nanoparticles and gold enhancement for visual detection.
Main Results:
- Achieved a low detection limit of 100 fM for mRNA.
- Provided results within 2 hours at 37°C.
- Successfully discriminated pancreatic cancer cells based on EV GPC1 mRNA levels.
Conclusions:
- The CHAGE methodology offers a rapid, convenient, and sensitive POCT platform for mRNA detection.
- This approach has potential for early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer and other diseases.
- The platform's adaptability allows for detection of various mRNA targets using specific probe designs.
