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Updated: May 28, 2026
09:30
Using Nanoplasmon-Enhanced Scattering and Low-Magnification Microscope Imaging to Quantify Tumor-Derived Exosomes
Published on: May 24, 2019
Accurate Phenotyping at the Single-Exosome Level Using a Proximity-Ligation RCA-Based Light-Scattering Counting
Baoshui Zhang1, Pengbo Zhang1, Mou Li2
1Beijing Key Laboratory for Bioengineering and Sensing Technology, School of Chemistry and Biological Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, 30 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100083, China.
ACS Sensors
|May 26, 2026
Summary
This study introduces a novel light-scattering platform for highly sensitive detection of tumor-derived exosomes (TEXs). The method enables precise cancer diagnosis from small plasma volumes, advancing liquid biopsy techniques.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Nanotechnology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Tumor-derived exosomes (TEXs) are promising noninvasive biomarkers for cancer detection due to their rich proteomic content.
- Challenges in TEX quantification include heterogeneity, low abundance, and interference from non-exosomal particles in biological fluids.
- Accurate and sensitive TEX detection is crucial for early cancer diagnosis via liquid biopsy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a highly sensitive and specific platform for single-particle exosome detection and quantification.
- To address the limitations of current methods in accurately measuring TEXs in complex biological samples.
- To enable precise discrimination between cancer patients and healthy individuals using minimal clinical samples.
Main Methods:
- Development of a light-scattering counting platform utilizing proximity-ligation-mediated rolling circle amplification (RCA).
- Employing dual aptamers for specific binding to single exosomes, triggering proximity ligation and RCA.
- Utilizing gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) aggregation for signal generation and a microbead platform for signal enrichment.
Main Results:
- Achieved single-particle detection of exosomes with a sensitivity as low as 1 particle/μL.
- Demonstrated a strong, turn-on light-scattering signal from near-zero background.
- Conjoint analysis of multiple exosomal proteins enabled precise discrimination between breast cancer patients and healthy individuals using 1 μL of plasma.
Conclusions:
- The developed platform offers a versatile and scalable tool for early cancer diagnosis through liquid biopsy.
- The proximity-ligation RCA method significantly enhances sensitivity and specificity for exosome detection.
- This approach holds potential for adaptation to detect various cancer types by targeting specific biomarkers.
