Innovative Aptasensor for Early Liver Cancer Diagnosis Developed

Strategic Insights -

Scientists at Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine have designed an innovative aptasensor for detecting alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), a protein biomarker associated with liver cancer. This research, supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province, aims to develop a cost-effective and reliable tool for early liver cancer diagnosis. The aptasensor employs a novel MoS2/Fe3O4 composite, which demonstrates enhanced sensitivity and specificity, with a detection limit of 0.3 pg/mL and a dual linear range of 0.001-0.1 ng/mL and 0.1-100 ng/mL.

Key Takeaways:

  • Researchers at Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine developed an innovative aptasensor for detecting alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) in liver cancer diagnosis.
  • The aptasensor uses a novel MoS2/Fe3O4 composite, exhibiting a 66% increase in surface area, enhancing aptamer immobilization and electron transfer efficiency.
  • The aptasensor demonstrated exceptional specificity, with negligible interference from proteins such as CEA and PSA, and high reproducibility (RSD of 5.12%).
  • The research found that the MoS2/Fe3O4 composite significantly improved the detection limit (0.3 pg/mL) and dual linear range (0.001-0.1 ng/mL and 0.1-100 ng/mL) compared to conventional methods.
  • The aptasensor showed excellent potential as a cost-effective, reliable tool for early liver cancer diagnosis, particularly in resource-limited settings.
  • The study highlighted the importance of personalized medicine in cancer diagnosis, emphasizing the need for accurate and early detection of liver cancer biomarkers.
  • The research was supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province, and the authors include Z. Zhang, C. B. Cui, G. C. Yang, and X. J. Wang from Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Statistics:

  • The MoS2/Fe3O4 composite demonstrated a 66% increase in surface area, from 4.22 m(2)/g to 7.16 m(2)/g.
  • The aptasensor exhibited a detection limit of 0.3 pg/mL and a dual linear range of 0.001-0.1 ng/mL and 0.1-100 ng/mL.
  • The aptasensor showed a negligible interference from proteins such as CEA and PSA.
  • The research had a relatively low reproducibility error of 5.12% (RSD).
  • The study was published in the Chalcogenide Letters journal, volume 22, issue 6, pages 507-520.

Sources:

  • NewsRx. Recent Research from Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Highlight Findings in Cancer Biomarkers (Synthesis of Mos 2 /fe 3 o 4 Composites for the Detection of Liver Cancer Biomarker Alpha-fetoprotein). Health & Medicine Week. July 18, 2025; p 3457.
  • Zhang, Z., et al. (2025). Synthesis of Mos 2 /fe 3 o 4 Composites for the Detection of Liver Cancer Biomarker Alpha-fetoprotein. Chalcogenide Letters, 22(6), 507-520.