A bio-nano-engineered platform fabricated from cerium oxide-carbon nanoparticles stabilized with chitosan for label-free sensing of a lung cancer biomarker

Anal Methods. 2025 Jan 2;17(2):349-359. doi: 10.1039/d4ay01535e.

Abstract

Herein, we report a label-free cancer biosensor designed for carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) detection using a nanohybrid comprising CeO2 nanoparticles, carbon nanoparticles (CNPs), and chitosan (Ch). CeO2 nanoparticles were prepared using a simple green synthesis process. A thin film of the CeO2-CNPs-Ch nanohybrid was formed on indium tin oxide (ITO)-coated glass plates that endowed a high surface area, excellent stability, and good adsorption for the efficient loading of CEA antibodies. Quantitative and selective determination of CEA antigen was achieved by immobilizing monoclonal CEA antibodies (anti-CEA) on the CeO2-CNPs-Ch/ITO platform. The electrochemical response of the anti-CEA/CeO2-CNPs-Ch/ITO immunoelectrode was evaluated in a label-free immunoassay format using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). The response studies of immunoelectrodes indicated wider linearity with respect to the CEA concentration in the range of 0.05-100 ng mL-1. The electrochemical cancer biosensor exhibited a higher sensitivity of 22.40 μA cm-2 per decade change in concentration along with storage stability for up to 35 days. The limit of detection (LOD) was 0.037 ng mL-1. Furthermore, this cancer biosensor exhibited good specificity and reproducibility. Thus, the proposed CeO2-CNPs-Ch nanocomposite-based platform provides an efficient method for the analysis of other antigen-antibody interactions and biomolecule detection. The efficacy of the anti-CEA/CeO2-CNPs-Ch/ITO immunoelectrode was further examined by measuring CEA levels in human serum.

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Immobilized / chemistry
  • Antibodies, Immobilized / immunology
  • Biomarkers, Tumor* / blood
  • Biosensing Techniques* / methods
  • Carbon* / chemistry
  • Carcinoembryonic Antigen* / blood
  • Cerium* / chemistry
  • Chitosan* / chemistry
  • Electrochemical Techniques* / methods
  • Humans
  • Immunoassay / methods
  • Limit of Detection
  • Lung Neoplasms*
  • Nanoparticles* / chemistry

Substances

  • Chitosan
  • Cerium
  • ceric oxide
  • Carcinoembryonic Antigen
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Carbon
  • Antibodies, Immobilized