Title : Multiplexed sensor-based detection of biomarkers for early-stage ovarian cancer

In the present paper we discuss the application of biosensor technology for the early-stage detection of ovarian cancer.Several biomarkers have been identified for OC, of which cancer antigen-125 (CA125) is the only one currently clinically approved. In our research, we are working on the development of seniors for the multiplexed assay of markers for OC.Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is a distinctly attractive potential biomarker with high sensitivity (98 %) and specificity. The normal level of LPA in the body is 0–5 μM, but increases to 5–50 μM in OC, even in stage I. In our research, we are employing three different biosensor-based strategies for LPA detection in tandem with that for CA-125. These techniques include an ultra-high frequency acoustic wave device, a chemiluminescence-based iron oxide nanoparticle (IONP) approach and electrochemical detection based on both square wave and differential pulse voltammetry. For assay of LPA all these methods incorporate the protein complex gelsolin-actin, which enables testing for detection of the biomarker binding to the complex results in separation of gelsolin from actin. In proof of concept experiments, each of the approaches is capable of the detection of LPA at the sub micromole level. In addition to the work with LPA we are developing an electrochemical system for the tandem assay of CA-125 which is based on an aptamer probe for the biomarker. The possible simultaneous assay of a number of biomarkers offers a significance enhancement in terms of the precision medicine approach to the characterization of patient ovarian cancer.

Michael Thompson is currently Professor of Bioanalytical Chemistry at the University of Toronto. He is recognized internationally for his pioneering work over many years in the area of research into new biosensor technologies. His research is centered on the surface chemistry of proteins, cells and bacteria.. He has been awarded many prestigious international prizes for his research including The Robert Boyle Gold Medal of the Royal Society of Chemistry, The Elsevier Prize in Biosensor and Bioelectronics Technology, the E.W.R. Steacie Award of the Chemical Society of Canada, and the 2023 Royal Society of Chemistry Horizons Prize in Analytical Science.