Investigator: Bernard Munge, Salve Regina University

Scientific Theme: Cancer

Abstract: Rapid, extremely sensitive and accurate biosensor arrays for clinical measurements ofbiomarker proteins for early detection and monitoring of cancer are critically important and will lead to inexpensive devices for reliable on-the-spot cancer diagnosis, improved therapeutic outcomes at lower costs, decreased patient stress, and new targeted therapies. Such devices will also provide tools for a better fundamental understanding of disease progression, and enable biomarker-based monitoring of therapy. The major goal of this project is to develop nanomaterial-based arrays to measure collections of early cancer biomarker proteins for cutaneous T cell lymphoma (CTCL ). Proposed devices feature nanostructured electrode surfaces with capture antibodies attached. The nanostructured electrodes will be fabricated into immunosensor arrays featuring electrochemical detection of biomarker proteins via multi-enzyme labeled particles coated with secondary antibodies. Biomarkers are molecules in the body that increase in concentration during the onset of cancer, and can be used for early cancer detection. Biosensor arrays are devices that can measure a number ofbiomarkers in patients at low cost. Biosensor arrays for this task are not available and will be developed and used to measure protein biomarkers and establish correlations for a broad range of patients. Specific aims: (I) Develop a microfluidic bioelectronic arrays for protein biomarkers using nanostructured electrodes and PEG protected multi-labeled particles. (2) Develop a simple complimentary electrochemiluminescence (ECL) immunosensor array. (3) Validate and establish clinical sensitivity and selectivity with ROC statistical analysis of arrays for test panel of CTCL cancer biomarkers. Our initial targets are cancer biomarker proteins IL-6, IL-22, IL-17 A, and IL-l 7F. After successful development, optimization, and validation, the biosensor arrays will be used to examine cancer biomarker  levels IL-6, IL-22, IL-17 A, and IL-l 7F in serum and tissue lysates of CTCL ‘blind’ patient samples and control cancer-free samples. This project will lead to point-of-care arrays for fast, early CTCL detection, monitoring of disease progression and will foster new cancer preventing treatments tailored to individual patients.

 Human Health Relevance: Despite recent improvements in cancer treatment and early detection it is still one of the major causes of death in the world. Early detection coupled to new therapies hold the key to change this fact. Detection of cancer biomarker pannels in patients can lead to reliable early diagnosis of specific types of cancer, estimation of cancer progression, early detection of multi-drug resistance, and monitoring the effectiveness of given therapy for a specific individual.