Fab' Fragment-Immobilized Gold Surface for Capturing EpCAM-Positive Breast Cancer Cells

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology
• Nanotechnology
• Cancer Research

Background:

• Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are crucial biomarkers for cancer diagnosis and prognosis.
• Current methods for CTC capture face challenges in sensitivity and selectivity.
• Targeting epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) is a key strategy for breast cancer cell detection.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a functionalized surface for the specific capture of EpCAM-positive circulating tumor cells.
• To demonstrate the effectiveness of epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) antibody fragments for immunocapture.
• To create a platform for potential integration into biosensor systems for cancer diagnostics.

Main Methods:

• Production and characterization of EpCAM antibody Fab' fragments.
• Surface modification of gold-coated glass slides using gold-thiol chemistry.
• Characterization of modified surfaces using FTIR, SEM, and AFM.
• Assessment of cell capture efficiency using EpCAM-positive and EpCAM-negative cell lines and fluorescence microscopy.

Main Results:

• Successfully immobilized EpCAM antibody Fab' fragments onto gold-coated surfaces.
• Demonstrated selective capture of EpCAM-positive breast cancer cells.
• Confirmed surface stability and functionalization through various microscopy and spectroscopy techniques.

Conclusions:

• The EpCAM Fab'-modified surface provides a robust and selective platform for capturing EpCAM-positive circulating tumor cells.
• This technology holds significant potential for developing advanced biosensors for cancer diagnostics and monitoring.
• The simple and effective surface modification method offers a promising approach for future clinical applications.