A digital microfluidic device integrated with electrochemical sensor and 3D matrix for detecting soluble PD-L1
Yuqian Zhang1,2, Jing Liu1,2, Ting-Wen Lo1,2
1Department of Physiology & Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA.
Biosensors & Bioelectronics: X
|August 2, 2024
Summary
This study presents a novel microfluidic device with electrochemical sensors for rapid, sensitive detection of soluble PD-L1 (sPD-L1). This technology can help monitor cancer immunotherapy effectiveness and detect drug resistance early.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Immunology
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- PD-1/PD-L1 checkpoint inhibitors are crucial cancer immunotherapies, but response rates are low (10-30%) and drug resistance is common.
- Monitoring immune responsiveness via soluble PD-L1 (sPD-L1) is vital, but traditional methods like ELISA lack sensitivity and point-of-care applicability.
- Existing electrochemical sensors offer potential for point-of-care diagnostics, yet integrating multiple functions into a single platform remains a challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an integrated digital microfluidic device with electrochemical sensor arrays for automated and rapid detection of soluble PD-L1 (sPD-L1).
- To overcome limitations of traditional detection methods and enable close monitoring of patient immune responsiveness during cancer immunotherapy.
Main Methods:
- Integration of microscale electrochemical sensor arrays, modified with conductive 3D matrices, into a digital microfluidic platform.
- Development of a programmed and automated system for rapid sPD-L1 detection in physiological fluids.
- Validation of the platform's sensitivity, specificity, and reproducibility using cultured human breast cancer cell line media.
Main Results:
- The novel platform achieved high sensitivity, detecting sPD-L1 down to 1 pg/mL with high specificity.
- The electrochemical sensors demonstrated excellent repeatability and reproducible results across different days.
- The device successfully detected sPD-L1 secreted by a human breast cancer cell line, showing a 2X signal increase compared to controls.
Conclusions:
- This integrated digital microfluidic device offers a promising solution for sensitive, rapid, and automated sPD-L1 detection.
- The platform holds potential for real-time monitoring of PD-1/PD-L1 immunotherapy efficacy and early identification of drug resistance.
- This technology could significantly advance point-of-care diagnostics for cancer immunotherapy management.
