Detection of uterine cancer biomarker EGFR through an aptasensor utilizing a carbon electrode modified with silver nanowires

Abstract

Treatment options and survival chances are enhanced with early detection of uterine cancer. In this work, an electrochemical paper analytical device (ePAD) for detecting Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), a biomarker for uterine cancer, was demonstrated. The objective of this study is to develop a rapid nano-biosensing method for early detection of fatal uterine cancer. The proposed ePAD is inexpensive, disposable, easy, and repeatable, among other advantageous qualities. The ePAD's Working electrode comprises of silver nanowires. In addition, the use of aptamers has enhanced the performance of the biosensor. The silver nanowires' morphological, optical, elemental content, and phase characteristics were assessed by employing several analytical techniques: transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and UV–vis spectroscopy. This aptamer-modified ePAD assists in amplifying the signal of the developed platform to identify EGFR. The biosensor utilized the voltametric detection of EGFR in a solution of 0.5 mM potassium ferro/ferri cyanide, which acts as a redox pair by applying a potential of 50 mV/s at the working electrode yielded the highest performance. The designed sensor demonstrated an optimum response broad linearity of 0.01 ng/ml – 1 μg/ml for EGFR, with limit of detection (LOD) of 0.01ng/ml.