Aptamer-enhanced ultrasensitive electrochemical detection of HER-2 in breast cancer diagnosis using ZnO tetrapod-K4PTC nanohybrids

Breast cancer continues to be a severe global health issue, emphasizing the critical need for accurate and timely detection and screening of large numbers of patients. This ailment places an enormous strain on healthcare resources and poses severe mortality risks for women globally if not addressed promptly. Conventional diagnostic techniques face obstacles such as expensive apparatus, intricate procedures, and long duration in stratification. Therefore, the development of point-of-care (PoC) devices that enable early detection of breast cancer is of utmost importance. This research article focuses on the development of an electrochemical based aptasensor for the detection of Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 (HER-2) using the novel nanohybrid substrate material, which consists of a 3D Zinc Oxide Tetrapods (ZnOT) and Potassium Perylene Tetra Carboxylate (K₄PTC). The analytical performance of the bio-nanoelectrode for detecting HER-2 was assessed using Square Wave Voltammetry (SWV) analysis. The developed nano-biosensor exhibited linear response in the range from 1 fg/mL - 10 µg/mL, and the overall limit of detection and sensitivity of the developed sensor is observed around 0.58 fg/mL and 2.08 µA/fg/mL/mm², respectively. The shelf life of the sensor substrate is above one month in normal storage conditions. This study offers a base for the development of an efficient and sensitive breast cancer biomarker sensing platform, which has the potential to be implemented at a low cost for society and perform screening testing for breast cancer management in rural areas.