Detection of HER2+ Breast Cancer Cells using Bioinspired DNA-Based Signal Amplification.

ABSTRACT: Circulating tumor cells (CTC) are promising biomarkers for metastatic cancer detection and monitoring progression. However, detection of CTCs remains challenging due to their low frequency and heterogeneity. Herein, we report a bioinspired approach to detect individual cancer cells, based on a signal amplification cascade using a programmable DNA hybridization chain reaction (HCR) circuit. We applied this approach to detect HER2+ cancer cells using the anti-HER2 antibody (trastuzumab) coupled to initiator DNA eliciting a HCR cascade that leads to a fluorescent signal at the cell surface. At 4?°C, this HCR detection scheme resulted in highly efficient, specific and sensitive signal amplification of the DNA hairpins specifically on the membrane of the HER2+ cells in a background of HER2- cells and peripheral blood leukocytes, which remained almost non-fluorescent. The results indicate that this system offers a new strategy that may be further developed toward an in?vitro diagnostic platform for the sensitive and efficient detection of CTC.

SUBMITTER: Rafiee SD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7187270 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature