MXene/PEDOT:PSS-based dual-biomarker impedimetric immunosensor for accurate differentiation of prostate cancer from BPH through urinary detection
Feng Song, Rashid Khan, Seongeun Lee, Seon Joon Kim, Taesung Kim, Yi Jae Lee
Abstract
Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second most common cancer among men worldwide. Although prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is widely used for PCa screening, it lacks specificity for distinguishing PCa from benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). β-2-microglobulin (β2m) is a sensitive biomarker for malignant tumors and can complement the PSA for improved diagnostic accuracy. In this study, a non-invasive dual-biomarker electrochemical immunosensor was developed for urinary detection of PSA and β2m. A gold electrode was modified with MXene deposition and PEDOT:PSS electropolymerized on MXene, then functionalized with PSA and β2m antibodies. The composite MXene/PEDOT:PSS (MX/PP) electrode enabled sensitive detection through electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), which achieved detection limits of 4.96 × 10 −5 ng/mL for PSA and 1.1 × 10 −4 ng/mL for β2m. A wide linear range (approximately 0.01–600 ng/mL) was demonstrated for both the biomarkers in urine. The sensor exhibited high selectivity, reproducibility, stability, and effective differentiation between PCa and BPH. The MX/PP interface provided enhanced conductivity and surface area for antibody functionalization. This simple dual immunosensor offers a promising platform for the non-invasive, accurate, and early diagnosis of prostate cancer.