Nano-Biomarker Arrays for Cancer Diagnostics (2012 - Present)

Investigator:  Bernard Munge, Salve Regina University
Mentor:  James Rusling, University of Connecticut

Abstract:  Rapid, extremely sensitive and accurate biosensor arrays for clinical measurements of biomarker proteins for early detection and monitoring of cancer are critically important and will lead to inexpensive devices for reliable on-the-spot cancer diagnosis, improved therapeutic outcomes at lower costs, decreased patient stress, and new targeted therapies. Such devices will also provide tools for a better fundamental understanding of disease progression, and enable biomarker-based monitoring of therapy. The major goal of this project is to develop nanomaterial-based arrays to measure collections of early cancer biomarker proteins for cutaneous T cell carcinoma and tobacco related cancers. Proposed devices feature nanostructured electrode surfaces with capture antibodies attached. The nanostructured electrodes will be fabricated into immunosensor arrays featuring electrochemical detection of biomarker proteins via enzyme labels on secondary antibodies. Biomarkers are molecules in the body that increase in concentration during the onset of cancer, and can be used for early cancer detection. Biosensor arrays are devices that can measure a number of biomarkers in patients at low cost. Biosensor arrays for this task are not available and will be developed and used to measure protein biomarkers and establish correlations for a broad range of patients. The major specific objectives of this project are 3-fold. (1) Develop methodology employing nanostructured electrodes and signal amplification strategy for amperometric antibody-antigen immunological assays for multiple cancer biomarker proteins (2) Develop bioelectronic arrays for protein biomarkers (3) Quantify Specific Biomarkers. Our initial targets are cancer biomarker proteins, mutant P53, IL-6, IL-8, CD25, and CD30. After successful development, optimization, and validation, we will use these biosensors to examine cancer biomarker levels (mutant p53, IL-6 and IL-8) in serum of smokers and nonsmokers. This project will enable rapid assessment of important correlations between biomarker patterns and tobacco-related cancer. It will also lead to point-of-care arrays for cancer detection, tobacco-related risk assessment, and foster new cancer preventing treatments tailored to individual patients.