Integrated Single-Step Terahertz Metasensing for Simultaneous Detection Based on Exosomal Membrane Proteins Enables...

Area of Science:

• Terahertz sensing technology
• Nanotechnology for cancer diagnostics
• Biomarker discovery for gastric cancer

Background:

• Exosomes are promising noninvasive biomarkers for gastric cancer (GC) diagnosis and monitoring.
• Current challenges include ultrasensitive quantification and discrimination of exosome heterogeneity.
• These limitations hinder the clinical application of exosomes in gastric cancer management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an integrated terahertz metasensing platform for single-step discrimination of GC exosomes.
• To simultaneously evaluate exosome membrane protein categories and abundance for subtype differentiation.
• To achieve ultrasensitive quantification of exosomes for improved clinical applicability.

Main Methods:

• An integrated terahertz metasensing platform with dual-sided independent sensing capabilities was designed.
• The metasensor was functionalized with antibodies to detect specific exosome membrane proteins.
• Gold nanoparticles were used for signal amplification to enhance sensitivity and dynamic range.

Main Results:

• The platform demonstrated enhanced sensitivity (169 and 325 GHz/RIU) for detecting exosome membrane proteins.
• Accurate differentiation and precise quantification of GC-subtype exosomes were achieved in a single assay.
• A superior dynamic response (1 × 10^4 to 1 × 10^8 particles/ml) with a limit of detection of 1 × 10^4 particles/ml was observed.

Conclusions:

• The developed terahertz metasensing platform enables reliable and ultrasensitive detection of gastric cancer exosomes.
• The dual-sided sensing approach enhances detection reliability and allows for simultaneous evaluation of multiple protein markers.
• This technology offers a promising avenue for precise cancer diagnosis, personalized treatment strategies, and improved patient outcomes.