Electrochemical biosensors for detection of HER2 protein linked to breast cancer

Abstract

One of the biggest factor associated with the success in cancer treatment, in general, is the early detection. In breast cancer, the most common methods of diagnostic are: mammography, ultrasonography and magnetic resonance. Although they are effective, in most cases, the diagnostic is obtained when the disease is already in an advanced stage, which requires more aggressive treatments, and it also reduces the chance of cure. The tumoral markers are macromolecules present in cells, in blood and in other biological fluids, which appearance and/or alterations in concentration are linked with the genesis and growth of neoplastic cells. Those markers can be utilized as indicators of malignant alterations and are useful in the early diagnosis and disease monitoring. One target protein with great marker potential to breast cancer therapy is known as HER2 (Human Epidermal growth factor Receptor-type 2). Its super expression is present in 20% of all breast cancer cases. This project has as main goal the study and development of electrochemical biosensors based in a self organized monolayer over printed electrodes. Synthetic DNA ribbons with sequences correspondents to aptamers will be utilized to recognize the HER2 protein by emplying electrochemical techniques such as cyclic voltammetry, impedance spectroscopy and chronocoulometry to achieve the characterization and respective detection. (AU)