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Updated: Sep 20, 2025
Detection and Isolation of Cancer in Prostate Biopsies Using Stimulated Raman Histology and Artificial Intelligence
Published on: June 10, 2025
Detection of Prostate Cancer Biomarker PCA3 by Using Aptasensors
Bruno P Crulhas1, Caroline R Basso1, Gustavo R Castro1
1Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Institute of Bioscience, UNESP, Botucatu, SP, Brazil.
Background:
Prostate cancer cells have very high PCA3 messenger RNA levels, which turns them into one of the new biomarkers for prostate cancer prognosis and diagnosis.
Objective:
Our goal here is to develop a new aptasensor to detect PCA3 release by the cancer cell.
Methods:
DNA hairpin containing PCA3 aptamer was thiolated, conjugated to methylene blue (MB) redox probe, and immobilized on gold electrode through self-assembly to detect label-free cancer cells.
Results:
Our data have evidenced stable and sensitive sensors presenting a wide linear detection range (0-150ng/mL). In addition, monitoring PCA3 released by different types of prostate cells can provide in-depth knowledge about prostate cancer dynamics; therefore, it is a powerful platform for earlier clinical diagnostic. The released PCA3 can vary depending on the type of adopted prostate cells.
Conclusion:
PCA3 release was monitored in a group of cells for 2 h; it showed significantly higher expression in both LNCaP and PC-3 cells. This strategy provides a unique and simple methodology to achieve more sensitive and specific PCA3 detection; thus, it emerged as a promising tool for early cost-effective diagnosis.
