An AgPd NP-based lateral flow immunoassay for simultaneous detection of glycocholic acid and alpha-fetoprotein

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality globally, ranking third in cancer deaths. Early diagnosis of HCC markers is imperative for effective prognosis and treatment. This study explores the utility of glycocholic acid (GCA) and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) as biomarkers for liver diseases, with a specific focus on their simultaneous detection for enhanced diagnostic and prognostic capabilities. Harnessing the benefits of lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA), such as operational simplicity, speed, and accuracy, we engineered AgPd nanocomposites with antibodies targeting GCA and AFP. Under the optimized conditions, the visual detection limit for GCA was established at 50 ng mL^-1 and the cut-off value at 10⁴ ng mL^-1. And for AFP, the visual detection limit was 0.1 ng mL^-1 and the cut-off value was 500 ng mL^-1. The accuracy and feasibility of the strips were validated through the detection of 39 actual serum samples. The results highlight the potential of LFIA as a rapid and effective tool for clinical diagnosis. The developed LFIA method not only demonstrates accuracy and feasibility but also presents a promising avenue for the early diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma.