Immobilization of multiple potential biomarkers, pure and obtained from liquid biopsies, in Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) as biosensors applied in head and neck Cancer diagnosis and prognosis

Abstract

Among the different types of tumors, head and neck Cancer is the sixth most common form of malignant tumor, and early diagnosis of the disease is a decisive factor in controlling its progression. In this way, the immobilization of biomarkers for head and neck Cancer in nanomaterials arises as a powerful tool for the diagnosis and prognosis of the disease, allowing a greater success in the treatment and improvement in the patients' survival. Among the types of nanomaterials, the Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) are an attractive class because they present several active sites. Therefore, this proposal aims to immobilize simultaneously multiple biomarkers candidates of head and neck Cancer and proteins from liquid biopsies (saliva) in metal-organic frameworks, ZIF-8 and NMOF-1, to develop biosensors for diagnosis and prognosis of the disease. The potential biomarkers, previously verified from our group in saliva of patients with oral Cancer that will be initially used are C3, CFB, C4B, SERPINA1 and LRG1. The immobilization of the biomarkers in MOFs will be evaluated through different strategies of antibody antigen interactions to improve its specificity. The biosensors will be characterized by electrochemical or spectrophotometric method. In addition, saliva samples will be analyzed against the response of the biosensors. As proof of concept, a biosensor sensitivity and specificity comparison will be made with ELISA assays and mass spectrometry analysis. This proposal can provide a significant advance in the diagnosis and prognosis of Cancer, since to the best of our knowledge no strategy of this type, specific for head and neck Cancer using multiple biomarkers or biological samples, has been found in the literature. (AU)