A fluorescent carbon nanotube sensor detects the metastatic prostate cancer biomarker uPA Journal Article


Authors: Williams, R. M.; Lee, C.; Heller, D. A.
Article Title: A fluorescent carbon nanotube sensor detects the metastatic prostate cancer biomarker uPA
Abstract: Therapeutic outcomes in patients with prostate cancer are hindered by the inability to discern indolent versus aggressive disease. To address this problem, we developed a quantitative fluorescent nanosensor for the cancer biomarker urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA). We used the unique fluorescent characteristics of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) to engineer an optical sensor that responds to uPA via optical bandgap modulation in complex protein environments. The sensing characteristics of this construct were modulated by passivation of the hydrophobic SWCNT surface with bovine serum albumin (BSA). The sensor enabled quantitative detection of known uPA concentrations in human blood products. These experiments potentiate future use of this technology as a rapid, point-of-care sensor for biomarker measurements in patient fluid samples. We expect that further work will develop a method to discern aggressive vs indolent prostate cancer and reduce overtreatment of this disease. © 2018 American Chemical Society.
Keywords: proteins; biomarkers; enzyme inhibition; fluorescence; protein; urology; medical nanotechnology; nanomedicine; body fluids; diseases; single-walled carbon nanotubes (swcn); biosensor; prostatic carcinoma; optical sensors; quantitative detection; biosensors; yarn; nanocarbon; optical sensor; carbon nanotube sensors; fluorescent characteristic; nano-carbon; sensing characteristics; singlewalled carbon nanotube (swcnt); urokinase plasminogen activators (upa)
Journal Title: ACS Sensors
Volume: 3
Issue: 9
ISSN: 2379-3694
Publisher: American Chemical Society  
Date Published: 2018-09-28
Start Page: 1838
End Page: 1845
Language: English
DOI: 10.1021/acssensors.8b00631
PROVIDER: scopus
PUBMED: 30169018
DOI/URL:
Notes: Article -- Export Date: 1 November 2018 -- Source: Scopus
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  1. Daniel Alan Heller
    112 Heller
  2. Christopher Adam Lee
    2 Lee