A Portable Sensing Platform Using an Upconversion-Based Nanosensor for Visual Quantitative Monitoring of Mesna.

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Analytical Chemistry
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Mesna is crucial for protecting the urinary system in chemotherapy patients.
• Real-time monitoring of mesna levels is essential for ensuring treatment efficacy.
• Fluorescence-based detection offers rapid, visual monitoring but faces challenges with background interference.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a portable sensing platform for visual, quantitative, real-time monitoring of mesna.
• To overcome background interference issues in biological sensing for mesna detection.
• To provide a new strategy for point-of-care drug testing in clinical settings.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a nanosensor using upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) and ethyl violet (EV).
• Utilizing the inner filter effect (IFE) where EV quenches UCNP green light.
• Monitoring the recovery of green light upon mesna's reaction with EV, breaking the IFE.

Main Results:

• The nanosensor achieved dual-readout detection (fluorescence and colorimetric) with low limits of detection (LODs) of 26 nM and 48 nM for mesna.
• A compatible sensing platform demonstrated facile mesna determination with an LOD of 56 nM.
• Successful visual quantitative monitoring of mesna levels was realized.

Conclusions:

• The developed upconversion-based nanosensor enables visual quantitative monitoring of mesna in real-time and on-site.
• This platform offers a sensitive and reliable method for ensuring mesna's curative effect in chemotherapy patients.
• The study presents a novel strategy for point-of-care drug testing, enhancing clinical applications.