Small device, big impact: Biosensors in oral cancer diagnosis

Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC), the most common type of oral cancer, is a serious issue for individuals worldwide because of its high mortality rate and metastatic spread to other body parts. Despite recent advances in biological research and treatment, early oral cancer identification remains critical in increasing survival rates.

Currently, the most popular methods for detecting oral cancer are visual inspection and biopsy, which are time-consuming, labor-intensive, and reliant on the investigator’s competence and invasive [1]. On the other hand, the development of point-of-care biosensors for oral cancer detection has the potential to change how this disease is diagnosed. These techniques have the potential to aid in the development of effective treatments, ultimately leading to a higher rate of patient survival.

Biosensors can assess the number of biomarkers precisely and reliably, assisting in the correct diagnosis of OSCC during its development.

A biosensor, by definition, is a self-contained analytical instrument that includes a biologically active substance in close contact with an appropriate transduction element for the goal of detecting (reversibly and selectively) the concentration or activity of chemical species in any type of sample [2].

Recent advancements in nanoscience and material design have resulted in the creation of point-of-care devices for biomolecule sensing and cancer diagnostics. With the growing acceptance and popularity of digital healthcare-based systems, several groups have spent more resources on creating and releasing proof-of-concept biological transmitting devices.[3]

The cell proliferation regulating inhibitor of protein phosphatase 2A (p90/CIP2A) has been identified as an OSCC biomarker. CIP2A is abundant in OSCC cell lines and dysplastic and malignant human oral epithelial tissues but not in normal controls [4]. CIP2A is present in most malignancies, including lung and gastric cancer, but it is more prominent in oral cancer.

Researchers from the University of Florida and National Yang-Ming Chiao Tung University in Taiwan present a breakthrough hand-held biosensor that enables speedy and accurate detection of oral cancer in the Journal of Vacuum Science & Technology B, copublished by AIP Publishing and AVS.

A readily available and developed CIP2A biosensor with excellent sensitivity and a shorter sensing time could be of major utility in advancing oral cancer screenings in the office [5].

As part of a modular biosensor system comprised of a Si-MOSFET digital reader and externalized cartridge sensor strips functionalized for the SARS-CoV-2 virus, a low-cost sensor similar to a glucose detection strip was developed. The device makes sensor strips with an Au-plated electrode out of easily accessible glucose test strips. The modular biosensor system has been functionalized to detect CIP2A. The sensitivity has been checked using CIP2A protein dilutions and tested with HeLa cancer cell lysate.

The biosensor developed by the group comprises a sensor strip similar to a glucose strip and a circuit board (a hand-held terminal similar to a glucometer) for detection. Typically, test fluid is introduced into a small liquid channel on the tip of the sensor strips. A few electrodes are placed within the liquid channel, and their surfaces contain antibodies to specific proteins found in human oral cancer lesions.

During detection, short electrode pulses are sent across these electrodes, and the circuit board module analyzes this signal and generates a four-digit number according to its concentration. Thus, helping in detecting cancerous lesions.

The researchers mention that they will now concentrate on increasing the performance of this biosensor. They will also run additional studies to see if the device can detect other oral cancer-related indicators.[6]

Developing a tool for better and early detection of oral cancers is absolutely critical for advancing. Early-stage tumors are more likely to respond to therapy, and patients are more likely to retain more of their normal oral structures, limiting the functional deficits caused by treatment. There is immense potential for advancement in this area of diagnosis since, to date, we are still relying on conventional resources.

References:

1. Chaudhry GE, Akim AM, Safdar N, Yasmin A, Begum S, Sung YY, Muhammad TST. Cancer and Disease Diagnosis - Biosensor as Potential Diagnostic Tool for Biomarker Detection. J Adv Pharm Technol Res. 2022 Oct-Dec;13(4):243-247. doi: 10.4103/japtr.japtr_106_22. Epub 2022 Oct 10. PMID: 36568055; PMCID: PMC9784037.

2. Umapathy VR, Natarajan PM, Swamikannu B, Moses J, Jones S, Chandran MP, Anbumozhi MK. Emerging Biosensors for Oral Cancer Detection and Diagnosis-A Review Unravelling Their Role in Past and Present Advancements in the Field of Early Diagnosis. Biosensors (Basel). 2022 Jul 8;12(7):498. doi: 10.3390/bios12070498. PMID: 35884301; PMCID: PMC9312890.

3. Iqbal, M.J., Javed, Z., Herrera-Bravo, J. et al. Biosensing chips for cancer diagnosis and treatment: a new wave towards clinical innovation. Cancer Cell Int 22, 354 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12935-022-02777-7

4. Minghan Xian, Jenna L. Stephany, Chan-Wen Chiu, Chao-Ching Chiang, Fan Ren, Cheng-Tse Tsai, Siang-Sin Shan, Yu-Te Liao, Josephine F. Esquivel-Upshaw, Stephen J. Pearton; High sensitivity CIP2A detection for oral cancer using a rapid transistor-based biosensor module. Journal of Vacuum Science & Technology B 1 January 2023; 41 (1): 013201. https://doi.org/10.1116/6.0002175

5. Minghan Xian, Jenna L. Stephany, Chan-Wen Chiu, Chao-Cing Chiang, Fan Ren, Cheng-Tse Tsai, Siang-Sin Shan, Yu-Te Liao, Josephine F. Esquivel-Upshaw, and Stephen J. Pearton, Point-of-Care Biosensor Rapidly Detects Oral Cancer Journal Of Vacuum Science & Technology B, December 13, 2022, AIP Publishing.

6. Dan Gray, Oral cancer diagnosis: New biosensor may provide quick, easy detection, December 13, 2022, Medical News Today.

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